Nicholas J. Eufemi

Nicholas J. Eufemi

March 31, 1924 - May 17, 2016

SOUTH BEND - Nicholas John Eufemi, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle & friend, passed away peacefully Tuesday morning. He had been under the care of his children for several years and under the care of the Center for Hospice & Palliative Care since August 2015.

Nick was born March 31, 1924, in Milwaukee, WI, to Italian immigrants Alfredo and Filomena (Tamburrini) Eufemi. As a young boy, the family moved to South Bend, Indiana, where he would spend the rest of his life. Nick grew up amidst a diverse neighborhood of first-generation Americans, who helped shape the man he became.

Nick graduated from Riley High School in 1942 and went on to honorably serve his country in WW II as a 2nd Lt. in the Army Air Corps. He was a bombardier on the B-17s. After the war, he attended St. Joseph College, Rensselaer, IN, on the GI Bill. He met and married Jacqueline Kemper, and they spent over 60 years together before her passing Dec. 2, 2014. Together they raised five children in South Bend.

Working for a short time at Studebaker's, Nick joined the South Bend Tribune, where he would work for 33 years until retiring as Advertising Supervisor in 1989. It was at the Tribune that he met a group of men who formed lifelong bonds over and above the work environment. He was a member of the Tribune's 25-year club until his death.

No one enjoyed retirement more than Nick, when he was finally able to pursue with pleasure his many and diverse interests. He loved to travel and spent much time on the east coast enjoying the seafood. He traveled to Italy, meeting and forming friendships with his Italian cousins. He played golf a number of times a week with his many friends, enjoying golf so much that he ‘worked' at Warren Golf course during his retirement. He was an avid reader, enjoyed listening to the big bands and Frank Sinatra, and was a fan of anything ND.

He cherished the time spent with family and friends. One of his favorite memories was having dinner with Jackie and their good friends, the late Vic and Bonnie McFadden at the Loft in downtown South Bend, home of the famous ‘Pepper Pot' Soup. Most of all, Nick was a spiritual man. He was thankful for his Catholic faith. He attended daily Mass for many years until his illness. He prayed the Rosary daily and had a deep devotion to St Joseph, patron of fathers and workers. He was a member of St Joseph Parish, South Bend, since 1960.

Nick is survived by daughters, Cynthia (Richard) Gray, Edwardsburg, MI, Julianne (Frederick) Hollett, Plymouth, IN, Kathleen Townsend, Northfield, IL, Jennifer (Rob Fleischman) Eufemi, Tucson, AZ; son, Joseph Eufemi, South Bend, IN; grandchildren, Melissa (Todd) Meszaros, Jonathan Gray, Molly Gray, Rachael (Chad) Eyrich, Benjamin (Anna-Emilia) Hollett, Alexandria Hollett, Nicholas (Staci) Eufemi, Elizabeth (Andrew) Burkavage; and great-grandchildren, Madison, Mic and Macy Meszaros, and Celia, Gianna, Oliver and Urban Eyrich. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Ann Grubbs of Payson, AZ.

He was predeceased by his wife; his son-in-law, John Townsend; his parents; four brothers, Domenico, Egidio, Leo, and Anthony; and a sister, Angela.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 am Saturday, May 21, 2016, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 226 N. Hill Street, South Bend. Graveside services and burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 - 8:00 pm Friday, May 20, 2016, in the Palmer Funeral Home - Hickey Chapel, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend, where a Rosary will be recited at 5:00 pm. Friends may also visit one hour prior to Mass Saturday in the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, South Bend, St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Joseph County Inc., 520 Crescent Avenue, South Bend, IN 46617, or to the Center for Hospice Care, 501 Comfort Avenue, Mishawaka, IN 46545. Online condolences may be left for the Eufemi family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.