Richard Diego Nicolo

BOCA RATON, Fla. - Richard Diego Nicolo of Lighthouse Point, Fla., died on Feb. 18, 2014 after a 14-year battle with leukemia. He was 64 years old.Born on Oct. 11, 1949, in Lynn, Diego was the devoted son of James and Angela Nicolo and loving brother to James, Linda and June. He graduated from Saugus High School, where he played football and baseball. His love of the ocean began at a young age swimming in the saltwater marshes next to his home and scuba diving all along the New England coastline. He was a U.S. Coast Guard veteran.He began his career as a machinist at General Electric in Lynn. In 1974, after visiting his brother in South Florida, he relocated his young family to Hollywood, Fla. While working as a machinist for Eastern Airlines in Miami, he continued to pursue his passion for boating, diving and spearfishing, and he earned his captain's license. A serial entrepreneur, he had many careers throughout the years: from designing homes to building and operating a full-service beauty salon in New York City. In 1992, he acquired a tiny skin care laboratory with a single chemist and a handful of formulas and developed it into a first-class manufacturing facility that serviced many industry leading brands.A self-taught product developer, Diego spent years researching and developing skin treatments that helped those suffering with difficult-to-treat conditions. He founded Speer Laboratories in 2012, which he ran with his two children until his death. He was a devoted Christian and a member of Calvary Chapel in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.Diego ran toward challenges head on. Whether figuring out the most efficient manufacturing process or searching the seas for sportfish, he was driven, analytical and passionate. An avid boater, he was happiest on his boat, trolling for mahi or night-fishing for swordfish. When on land, he enjoyed the finer things in life: good food, good wine and good company. He was especially fond of his prized mango tree, which is currently in full bloom. He loved travel, was always up for a good debate and liked to run the show. His confidence often masked his kindness, but his heart was enormous and full of compassion. Diego was a generous and dedicated philanthropist, who cared deeply about the welfare of those around the world less fortunate than he. No matter where he was, whether on his boat or in his garden, he always preferred to be surrounded by his family, especially his two grandchildren.Diego was predeceased by his father and brother. He is survived by his mother, Angela (Ciampa) Nicolo of Saugus; his beloved wife, Francisca (Noynay) Nicolo; his two children, Matthew Nicolo of Port St. Lucie, Fla. and Amy Nicolo and husband Ian Jones of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Fla.; his two young grandchildren, Cosima and Diego; his sisters, June Nicolo of Hollywood, Fla. and Linda Friedman of Saugus; his niece, Angela; and nephews Benjamin and James.Service information: A memorial service will be held at Calvary Chapel, 2401 West Cypress Creek Road, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on March 1, 2014 at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to 4KIDS of SouthFlorida, http://www.4kidsofsfl.org.