Nicholas J. Vicenzo

Nicholas Joseph Vicenzo, 90, died peacefully at Vernon Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Vernon, CT on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. Nicholas was born in the town of Sepino, in the Province of Campobasso, Italy on March 16, 1934, son of the late Michele and Benedetta (Cusano) Vicenzo. Nicholas came to America with his family at the age of two in 1936 and settled in the Bronx, NY, where he attended grammar, middle and two years at Cardinal Hayes High School. In 1950, the family moved to Windsor, CT where they joined family in running the already established J & D Restaurant. Nicholas graduated from Windsor High School in 1952. He then attended the University of Connecticut for one semester and left to join the U.S. Army, where he served for three years. He then returned to the family restaurant business, working alongside his late mother and father. Nicholas was soon introduced to his late wife, Assunta D'Avirro, who he was married to for 63 years. The couple worked together at J & D Restaurant for 19 years. Soon after, they purchased Civi's restaurant in South Windsor and renamed it Sepino's where they spent the next 16 years before retiring. Upon retiring, Nicholas kept busy working as a cook at Friendly's at the Buckland Hills Mall in Manchester, CT. When Nick finally hung up his apron for good, he and Sue retired and enjoyed their winters in Delray Beach, FL. Nick was an avid New York Yankees fan and enjoyed trips to the city, which would end with dinners on Mulberry Street in Little Italy. He often helped his wife prepare big family dinners on Sundays, but his specialty was Christmas morning breakfast with his famous, fluffy pancakes. He will be remembered for his generosity, quick wit, and easy-going nature. He is survived by his two daughters, Betty Ann Plourde and her husband Kenneth of South Windsor, and Corinne Vicenzo and Roger Hartford of South Windsor. He leaves his four grandchildren, Rachel Kwiatkowski and husband Benjamin of Enfield, CT, Samantha Stevens and her husband Matthew of Warwick, RI, Nicholas Plourde and Carla Plourde, both of South Windsor. He also leaves his brother Carmine Vicenzo, and sister-in-law Emma D'Amato and her husband Frank, cherished nieces, nephews, and cousins. A special thank you to the caregivers at Vernon Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Vernon and to the hospice caregivers from the Visiting Nurses and Health Services of CT for their kind and compassionate care. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, October 30 from 4-7pm at Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home, 419 Buckland Road, South Windsor. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, October 31 at 10am at St. Margaret Mary Church, 80 Hayes Road, South Windsor. Entombment will follow at the Mausoleum in Mount Saint Benedict Cemetery in Bloomfield. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. For online condolences please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com