Nicola "Nick" Bellone

1935 - 2022

Nicola (Nick) Bellone, age 86, of Westerly, RI, joined his beloved wife Maria on Saturday, June 11, 2022.
He was born to Pietro Bellone and Assunta LoCrasto on July 6th, 1935, in Tusa, Sicily, and his father was killed in WWII when he was a child. To support his family, he dropped out of 5th grade and became a mason with the help of Mr. Angelino Tudisca, who took Nicola under his wing and became like a second father. Nicola loved Tusa but limited prospects led him to America, the land of opportunity.
In 1959, Nicola arrived in the U.S. and then started Bellone Masonry with help from his uncle, Angelo Tasca. In 1964 he married the love of his life, Maria DiMarco (also from Tusa, Sicily). They bought the Breezeway Motel in 1970 and moved their family to the home on site. Nicola and Maria poured their lives into The Breezeway, growing it from a 14-room motel to the family resort that it is today. In 1994 they added Maria's Seaside Cafe, which expanded to The Hotel Maria in 2018. In the off-seasons, Nicola and Maria traveled the globe, but his favorite stops were always Tusa and Aruba.
Nicola is survived by his brother Rosario Bellone and wife Giovanna; his children Catena Bellone, Peter Bellone and wife Kimberly, and John Bellone and wife Melissa; as well as his grandchildren Anika (with Simon), Max, Nicholas, Sebastian, and Maria.
Nicola often said that he'd rather live 10 days as a lion than 10 years as a lamb. He managed to live 86-plus years like a lion. He lived the American dream.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, June 14, from 4-7 pm at Buckler-Johnston Funeral Home, 121 Main St. Westerly, RI.
A mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Clare Church in Misquamicut, RI, on Wednesday, June 15, at 10 a.m.
For online condolences, please visit www.buckler-johnston.com