John Ermino Nobili was born and raised in the charming town of Sondrio, Italy. He was the cherished son of Enrico and Theresa Nobili, and later, he was blessed with the loving guidance of his stepmother, Lydia Nobili. John's life was a tapestry of rich experiences and profound love, woven with dedication and service.
John pursued his passion for engineering in the textile industry after earning his degree in Italy. His expertise and determination saw him rise to impressive heights in his career, leading him on journeys across various countries. Along the way, he picked up many languages, a testament to his adaptability and curiosity about the world.
In the 1950s, John served his country and NATO with honor in the Italian Army, where he attained the rank of Commander. He led a 20-tank regimen, demonstrating bravery and leadership that would become hallmarks of his character throughout his life.
John often reflected on his travels, saying he had "traveled the world and the seven seas." Yet, it was in Carroll County, Virginia, that he found the treasure he sought - the love of his life, Virginia "Jenny" Nobili. Married on October 26, 1968, John and Jenny shared 54 years of unwavering love, laughter, and adventure. Together, they raised three wonderful children: Tony, Angie, and Chris.
John's professional journey brought him to Hillsville, Virginia, where he joined Burlington Industries, Lee's Carpet Division, dedicating over thirty years to the company. However, his true joy came from his involvement in the community. Alongside Jenny, John built, owned and operated the Carrollwood Skating Rink, Campground, and Fish Lakes for over 40 years. They became surrogate parents to countless children, offering support, guidance, and a safe space for fun and growth.
John and Jenny's commitment to their community extended beyond their businesses. They were a proud sponsor of the Carrollwood Astros Little League Team and a devoted founding member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Woodlawn for over 50 years. His generosity, kindness, and unwavering support left an indelible mark on all who knew him.
John leaves behind a legacy of love and family. His children, Tony and Donnamarie Nobili of Charlotte, NC; Angela Nobili Christian and Edward Christian of York, PA; and Chris and Christina Nobili of Charlotte, NC, will carry his spirit forward. His six adoring grandchildren: Harmon, Reed, and Bayne Nobili; Nicholas Del Gigante; and Mason and Mabel Nobili, will continue to be inspired by his memory.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the Atrium teams in Charlotte for their exceptional care during John's final days. Your compassion and dedication brought comfort to John and his family during this difficult time.
As we prepare to say our final goodbyes, we remember John as a pillar of our community, a loving husband, a devoted father, and a cherished friend. His funeral service was held at Coulson Church on Wednesday, June 12 at 11:00 AM, officiated by Pastor Russell Payne and Father Herman Katongole. Following the service, John was laid to rest beside his beloved Jenny in the Coulson Cemetery. Friends are invited to pay their respects at Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel on Tuesday, June 11 from 6:00 until 8:00 PM. Online condolences can be shared at www.vaughanguynnandmcgrady.com.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel in Hillsville.
In remembering John, let us be inspired by his legacy of love, service, and dedication. He will be deeply missed, but his spirit will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him. Rest in peace, John Ermino Nobili. Your journey on this earth has ended, but your story will continue in the lives you touched and the love you shared.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel - Hillsville.
GIOVANNI BERTAZZINI
November 5, 2024
Dear Tony,Angie and Chris, we came across by chance to John's obituary and we feel very grieved. We had been in touch with John and Jenny for some time, by email and phone until a couple of years ago.
Please accept our sympathy for you loss.
Giovanni Bertazzini (cousin from Sondrio) and his wife Carla
May God bless you all
We would be pleased to hear from you, please write to:
[email protected]
Kimberly Stone Robinson
July 30, 2024
John was a wonderful man. He always showed me and my dad, Nolan, such great kindness and friendship during our many visits to fish at the campground. We both thought so highly of him. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Timmy leath
July 6, 2024
John was a great man, honorable, kind and generous. I looked up to him and really enjoyed sitting and talking with him while fishing at Carrollwood fish lake. My father Tim Leath and fished up there every weekend and really miss it and John and Virginia. They will be missed. God bless them and keep them in their forever home.
Jack and Carol
June 25, 2024
Tony, Angie, Chris and families,
We are so sorry to learn of your Dad's recent passing. We first met John, Jenny and you when we began staying at Carrollwood Campground over 35 years ago. That led us to longtime friendshipswith your parentsand fellow campers. We looked forward to the next year when we could catch up about families (especially children and grandchildren) and goings on. We have such fond memories of all things Carrollwood Campground. Your parents will be missed by all. Sending you prayers from Massachusetts.
Brandi
June 21, 2024
My heart goes out to John's family. John and Virginia were such wonderful people and left a lasting impression on all of us. Going to Carrollwood skating rink every Friday and Saturday night growing up was always something every child looked forward to all week and now as adults we can all cherish each and every memory we have with such wonderful people as John and Virginia. May God wrap each of his family in his arms at this time of loss. Gone but never forgotten
Krista and Steve Burnette & Roger Harmon Family
June 17, 2024
We are so sorry for your loss. My dad Roger had many fun times at Carrollwood while he was barbering. He and my mom had hilarious stories from Halloween costume parties. My brothers and I grew up around John and Jenny and know what an impact their bigger than life personalities were. They will be sadly missed as they were the faces of the campground/skating rink memories of a bygone era. I have cherished photos of taking my children fishing at Carrollwood that I wouldn't trade. I'm so glad to have known them both.
Stephanie Bond (Hall)
June 16, 2024
I’m so thankful for living in the same area as John and Virginia. Some of my most cherished memories from my childhood came from hanging out at Carrollwood skating every Friday and Saturday. The whole family is a great group of people. I will be praying for y’all ❤
Sallie Marshall
June 14, 2024
I'm sorry for your loss. He and Virginia were good neighbors.
Bonita M. Williams
June 14, 2024
This is very sad news of John passing. I knew he and Jenny both in friendship and professionally. Thinking of the family during this difficult time and hoping that the fond memories help, in time, to ease you sorrow.
Amanda Spicer Keith
June 12, 2024
So very sad to hear of the tremendous loss of John. My condolences to the entire family.
Dennis & Sue Ward
June 12, 2024
Was very sorry to hear of John's passing. I always enjoyed being around him and Jenny. They were so much fun and made me laugh. They attended many of our auctions over the years. I will never forget that they bought a house the next day after hurricane Hugo and there were limbs and debris all over the yard. Going to miss that big smile of John's. Please accept our apology for not being at the service. We were out of town. Blessings to all the family.
Amy Theurer
June 12, 2024
I’ll always remember John as a wonderful person. While I am happy that he is back with Jenny, they will both be missed here.
My The Lord comfort his loved ones with warm memories.
Richard Koske
June 12, 2024
Will miss John coming in to church every Sunday! Big smile ,warm greeting! Our last covered dish he seemed to be having a great time! I sat with him and he was talking about the great food! Will Miss
Sharon Nichold
June 12, 2024
Mr. John and Miss Jenny were two of the most wonderful people in Carroll County. They always had a kind word or shared ideas to improve our community.
Dylan and Barbara Edwards
June 12, 2024
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Karen Fortune
June 12, 2024
I remember John and Virginia at the skate rink and the camp ground. They both would do anything they could to help anyone.
Brenda Liddle
June 12, 2024
John was a good guy. We often talked about rental properties. we used to skate and fish at Carrollwood. i’ll never forget the day we were there fishing and I fell in and he came and told me he charge to swim and laughed. So sorry for your loss. Prayers for you all.
Lesa Dix
June 12, 2024
John was a wonderful man. He loved God & would do anything he could to help people. He was a wonderful friend & I will miss him so much! My heart breaks with yours at his passing, but I know where he is & that I will see him again. I didn't find out the arrangements until Wednesday morning so I'm unable to attend. My heart will be there though as will my spirit. May God , the Father, comfort each of the family & friends of John Nobili & give them peace.
Sheila and Shawn Stone
June 11, 2024
So sorry to the family. John and Jenny has left lasting impressions with our family over the years. They are together again and that makes my heart smile. Prayers for you all.
Chris and Anglia Dalton
June 11, 2024
Sending thoughts and prayers to all the family.
Michael & Sue Dickens
June 11, 2024
So sorry to hear about your loss! Lifting prayers that your many happy memories will give you God's Peace!
Mike and Sandy Surratt Edwards
June 11, 2024
Prayers for all of the family. John and Jenny were awesome to me as I spent every weekend at there skating ring.
DeAnn Smith
June 11, 2024
So very sorry to hear of John’s passing. I got to know him and his sweet wife Jenny through work at Dawn Auction. They both were such a special couple and staple in the community and will be dearly missed. Love and prayers to the children and family in the days ahead.
Anthony Robinson
June 11, 2024
John always ask me to trap his ponds for his muskrat problems. He was a great guy. I Will miss him.
Marie Chappell
June 11, 2024
John will be miss he was a very nice man. I knew him and his wife and family wonderful family. He will never be forgotten.
Homer & Belva Flanagan
June 10, 2024
So sorry to hear of John. He and Virginia were our old 60s friends, still missing both.
Janett Miller
June 10, 2024
So sorry prayers for all the family it was a honor to have known him
Teresa Slusher
June 10, 2024
Prayers for the family
Holly Barlow
June 10, 2024
Many fun memories were shared at Carroll wood Skating Rink with John and Virginia from my Moms youth as well as my own! This is a beautiful tribute!
They were always nice and so thankful to have a little place such as Carroll wood while growing up.
Many prayers go out to each of the Kids and Grandchildren!
Ronald Dean and Vicky Quesenberry
June 10, 2024
To John's Family,
We are sorry for your loss. We have known John and Jenny for many years. Through work and the camp ground. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Kathy Goad-nester
June 10, 2024
I grew up skating at carrollwood and knowing John and Virginia. They were blessing to the community. John will be missed.
Christina Parnell
June 10, 2024
My condolences to the Nobili family. I remember spending most of my summers at the Campground swimming and having my birthday parties at the skating rink. One of my favorite memories of Mr. Nobili was him singing Happy Birthday to me at one of my parties. Him and Jenny were both very sweet people. May GOD be with you all during this time.
Tina Reedy
June 10, 2024
WOW what a tribute is all I can say to John's obituary! That is probably the truest thing I have ever read!!! John was a kind, gentle man and loved his community! I was one of those brats that Jenni and John took under their wings every weekend at Carrollwood. You could not ask for better people and it showed! They loved the community and children! The community lost a great pillar!
Jennifer Ayers
June 10, 2024
John was a good man. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Vera A. and Garnett Dalton
June 10, 2024
Our heartfelt sympathy to John’s dear family, as the time has come to lay their Father to rest. We share many memories with John and Jenny through the years, through our work together at Lee’s Carpets/Burlington Industries in Hillsville, VA., and through the campground and skating rink. God bless you all with His comfort and peace, during this time of loss.
Jeff Sexton aka Bobbitt D's
June 10, 2024
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Randy Lineberry
June 10, 2024
May God Bless you all, Tony, Angie, Chris, may his love, and there love for each other give comfort to you all, for they are together again.
Joyce Goad
June 10, 2024
Love and prayers to all. I will remember John's distinct accent which was endearing.
Tony and Leigh Beamer
June 10, 2024
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Clifton Coulson
June 10, 2024
I am so sorry to hear of John's passing. I knew him and Virginia back in my skating days at Carrollwood about 50 years ago. Both were so kind and helpful to all of us kids at the skating rink. He was a good man.
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Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel - Hillsville1035 N Main St. PO Box 145, Hillsville, VA 24343
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Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel - Hillsville1035 N Main St. PO Box 145, Hillsville, VA 24343
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