Nicholas J. Iannone

WATERBURY, Conn. - Nicholas Joseph Iannone (Nicola Giuseppe Iannone), 90, beloved husband of Ann (Moffo) Iannone, died Tuesday morning, Feb. 17, 2015, surrounded by his family in his home.

Known for his generous heart and humble ways, Mr. Iannone never took credit for all that he did in life. Until a few months ago, at the age of 90, he could still be found rising early to help his son Dave at Ann's Deli in Waterbury, the business he started when he "retired" 32 years ago. He loved his customers and his work, but most of all he loved his family.

Mr. Iannone was born on March 14, 1924, in Waterbury, son of the late Agostino and Marietta "Mary" (D'Attilio) Iannone of Waterbury and the villages of Lucito and Riccia in the province of Campobasso, Italy. After graduating from Levenworth High School, class of 1943, Nick enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served admirably in World War II in England, France and Germany. Following an honorable discharge, Nick pursued a career in the food trade, attending the National School of Meat Cutting in Toledo, Ohio before returning to Connecticut to work as a grocer, meat cutter and deli owner. He met Ann in 1953 and they were married in Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Waterbury in 1954.

Nick was a devoted husband, brother, father, uncle, grandfather, and father-in-law, and will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

Nick began his career at Mohegan Market and then worked for a time at Fulton Market, both in Waterbury. He opened Popular Market in the Town Plot section of Waterbury. Following the flood of 1955, Nick closed his store in Town Plot and opened Midway Meat Outlet in Cheshire with friends Albert Marano and Tony Pisani in 1956 where he remained happily serving customers until 1977. He continued to manage meat departments for several area grocers until 1983.

After "retirement" Nick opened Ann's Deli on Baldwin Street, naming the store after his much-loved wife. Together Nick and Ann spent more than 20 years delighting customers with their homemade Italian recipes and catering. Nick was known for his warm, welcoming smile, his kind words and his enduring passion for the N.Y. Yankees. He was an active parishioner of St. Francis Xavier Church for more than 59 years and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

In addition to Ann, his wife of 60 years, Nick leaves behind his daughter Diane Rokosky and her husband Michael of Watertown; his sons, Mark Iannone and his wife Marylou of Thomaston, David Iannone and his wife Cynthia of Middlebury, James Iannone and his wife Lidia of Dover, Pa., Joseph Iannone and his wife Heather of Prospect and Nicholas Iannone, Jr. and his wife Denise of Medfield, Mass.; and his 16 grandchildren, Michael, Ann, Carissa, Christopher, Nina, Sara, Patrick, Colleen, Victoria, Matthew, Nicholas III, Brooke, Isabella, Michael Cole, Ryan and Ella. He is also survived by his sister Carmela (Iannone) Palermo of Waterbury and niece Elaine Mattingly and nephew Stephen Palermo, his dear friend Albert Guisto of Boynton Beach, Fla. and many dearly loved Moffo family members. In addition to his parents, Nick was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Carmen Palermo.

The family would like to thank compassionate caregivers Maria Santos, Lisa Harper, and Ines Ribeiro, and from Hale Homecare: Rebecca, Audrey, Colleen and Nancy along with the staff from Hartford HealthCare at Home Hospice for their kindhearted and gentle care.

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services: The funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015 at 10 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church, 625 Baldwin St., Waterbury. Burial with military honors will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Family and friends are asked to meet directly at the church. Family and friends may call at Maiorano Funeral Home, 95 Willow St., Waterbury on Friday evening from 4 to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions in Nicholas' name may be made to: Saint Francis Xavier Church, 625 Baldwin St., Waterbury, CT 06706. For more information or online condolences visit www.maioranofuneralhome.com.