Nicanor A. Espinal

SALEM – Nicanor A. Espinal, 82, of Salem, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 25th, 2025, at Abbott Skilled Nursing and Rehab Center in Lynn, surrounded by his loving family.
Born and raised in Moca, Dominican Republic, Nicanor was the son to the late Ana and Jines Espinal.
He came over to the United States in 1958 at 16 years old and began his journey in California. As gifted baseball player, Nicanor earned the opportunity to play for the minor league Los Angeles Dodgers, rising to Double-A before suffering an injury.
After his injury, he made his way to New York by bus and where he started trade school to become an electrician. Once Nicanor was licensed he began his career at Con-Edison Electric. After a few months, he made his way up to Salem, MA, where he subcontracted and made a name for himself in the community. While Nicanor worked for himself, and supported his family, he was also a community activist. He volunteered his free time to Voces and at Salem Access TV as a photographer and videographer.
A loving dad, papa, uncle, and friend, Nicanor thrived as a family man. While his free time was limited, he was able to find great pleasure in hunting and fishing. He was an active gun collector, finding solace in the woods of New Hampshire, where he could clear his mind searching for deer and ducks. Nicanor's kind soul and uplifting spirit will be dearly missed.
Nicanor is survived by his children, Jesenia Espinal of Salem, Wendy Espinal of NY, Nicanor Espinal Jr. of Salem, Jeswendy Espinal-Salcedo of PA and Jeny Patricia Espinal of NY, along with his 15 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, 10 siblings and many nieces, nephews and friends.
ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to Nicanor's visitation and funeral service which will be held at O'Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) SALEM on Tuesday, April 29th, 2025 from 5 PM to 8 PM. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.
ESPANOL:
SALEM – Nicanor A. Espinal, de 82 años y residente de Salem, falleció pacíficamente el viernes 25 de abril de 2025 en el Centro de Enfermería y Rehabilitación Abbott en Lynn, rodeado de su amorosa familia.
Nacido y criado en Moca, República Dominicana, Nicanor era hijo de los difuntos Ana y Jines Espinal.
Llegó a Estados Unidos en 1958 a los 16 años y comenzó su carrera en California. Como talentoso jugador de béisbol, Nicanor se ganó la oportunidad de jugar para los Dodgers de Los Ángeles en las ligas menores, ascendiendo a Doble A antes de sufrir una lesión.
Tras su lesión, viajó a Nueva York en autobús, donde comenzó una escuela de oficios para convertirse en electricista. Una vez que Nicanor obtuvo su licencia, comenzó su carrera en Con-Edison Electric. Tras unos meses, se trasladó a Salem, Massachusetts, donde trabajó como subcontratista y se hizo un nombre en la comunidad. Si bien Nicanor trabajaba por cuenta propia y mantenía a su familia, también era un activista comunitario. Dedicaba su tiempo libre como voluntario a Voces y a Salem Access TV como fotógrafo y videógrafo.
Un padre, tío y amigo cariñoso, Nicanor prosperó como hombre de familia. Aunque su tiempo libre era limitado, disfrutaba mucho de la caza y la pesca. Era un activo coleccionista de armas y encontraba consuelo en los bosques de New Hampshire, donde podía despejar su mente buscando ciervos y patos. Echaremos mucho de menos la bondad y el espíritu alentador de Nicanor. A Nicanor le sobreviven sus hijos: Jesenia Espinal, de Salem; Wendy Espinal, de Nueva York; Nicanor Espinal Jr., de Salem; Jeswendy Espinal-Salcedo, de Pensilvania; y Jeny Patricia Espinal, de Nueva York; además de sus 15 nietos, 2 bisnietos, 10 hermanos y numerosos sobrinos, sobrinas y amigos.
Arreglos: Se invita a familiares y amigos al velorio y servicio funerario de Nicanor, que se llevará a cabo en O'Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq., (en Salem Common), SALEM, el martes 29 de abril de 2025, de 17:00 a 20:00 h. Para compartir un recuerdo o expresar sus condolencias, visite www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.
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