Harry Nick Taddeo

Harry Nick Taddeo was the second born child and eldest son of Italian immigrants, Anastasia and Frank Taddeo, who met and married after arriving in the United States and went on to raise a daughter and three sons. Born and raised in Michigan, Harry spent his childhood in the Midwest until the family moved to Pasadena, California, shortly after he graduated from Farmington High School. He was named after his father's favorite Detroit Tigers baseball player, Harry Heilmann, a fitting tribute, as Harry would become an athlete in his own right. He ran track in high school and later during his service in the Army, nurturing a lifelong love of running. Even at 95, he could still be spotted jogging along Santa Monica and Manhattan Beaches.
Harry attended and graduated from Pasadena City College before earning a master's degree from Los Angeles City College. He became a high school English teacher and, later, a high school counselor, roles through which he touched many young lives. He served in the Army during the Korean War, spending two years stationed in Germany. While in Europe, he embraced every opportunity to travel, explore, and immerse himself in new places and experiences that would shape his curiosity and love of learning for the rest of his life.
In retirement, Harry authored five books under his pen name Nick Taddeo, writing about everything from wine to travel, and began crafting an original screenplay. He took great joy in the research process, the people he met along the way, and the chance to explore the passions and stories of others.
Harry's passion for automobiles was a lifelong interest and he often joked that his cars were like his children. He was still driving his favorite BMW up until the age of 95 plus.
Harry's lifelong partner and great love was Setsuko Oka. Together, he and Sets delighted in traveling, visiting museums, spending time with family and friends, and sharing the simple joy of reading. Though Harry and Sets never married or had children, Harry cherished his role as uncle to his 11 nieces and nephews, and later, to their children. He was the fun uncle, always ready for an adventure: camping trips, days at the beach, rides on his Harley, or drives in his Porsche. In the late 1960s and 70s, he even whisked the older kids off to some unforgettable hippie events across Southern California, along with lively excursions to Little Tokyo, Olvera Street, the San Pedro waterfront, the Sunset Strip, and Hollywood Boulevard. Harry's role as a fun and loving uncle went beyond his biological nieces and nephews, extending out to his close friends and their children, where he celebrated many holidays and special events, creating lasting and loving memories.
Harry is survived by nieces and nephews Milton Knight Jr., Joanie Lampert, Laura Popovich, Victor Knight, Rock Knight, Mary Beth Kelm, Angela Mecca, Linda Taddeo, the late Mike Taddeo, Donna Taddeo and John Jr. Taddeo as well as many great nieces and nephews.
Harry will be remembered as a beloved teacher, brother, uncle, and friend, a gentle, kind-hearted man with unwavering curiosity, a warm spirit, and the gracious manners of a true gentleman.
In lieu of flowers buy a bottle of wine and make a toast to Harry and the good times!