Obituary of Nicola Domenico Emanuele

Nick Emanuele passed in the company of his family at home in Largo, Florida at the age of 88. He is survived by his children Cynthia McGuinn, (husband John), Thomas Emanuele and daughter Patricia Campailla (husband Daniel); his grandchildren: Tony and Angela Campailla; his great grandchildren Adam Campailla, Christopher and Danielle Gump; his sister Caroline Zito, his god daughter Janice Godlaski, god son Andrew J. Falcone, his many loving nieces and nephews and his good friend Betty Campailla. Born October 22, 1922, Nick was the third child of Carmela and Domenico Emanuele. Raised in Akron, Ohio during the Great Depression, Nick and his siblings Andrew, Josephine and Caroline nonetheless enjoyed a childhood filled with love and laughter. After graduating from West High School where he was on the basketball team, Nick served in the Civilian Conservation Corps building roads in many of the western states. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre before returning to Akron, a decorated Navy Veteran. Nick married his sweetheart, Margaret "Slim" Zito in 1946 and the couple settled in Goodyear Heights where they lived and raised their family. Nick went to work for the US Post Office, first as a postal clerk selling stamps and eventually rising to the position of President of the National Federation of Post Office Clerks, Local 120 where he served for three elected terms during which he traveled to Washington and testified before Congress in support of union members pay and benefit issues. Nick retired in 1978 from his then position as a Postal Superintendent ,in order to care full time for his wife Margaret, whom he lovingly and patiently nursed for over a decade through her extended battle with cancer. Nick was a superb golfer, pool player, bowler, dancer, and fisherman, as well as an accomplished craftsman and artist. Everyone whoever met Nick liked and remembered him for his easy smile, broad interests and sense of humor. He will remain cherished in memory by his children as a loving father and a great story teller and in the hearts of his grandchildren and great grandchildren as "Boss Grandpa" who taught them how to fish and who spent many summers with them. Nick was a member of the Church of the Annunciation in Akron, Ohio for over 40 years and a fourth degree level Knight of Columbus, Monsignour Joseph O'Keefe Assembly. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge and the VFW, Post 7721. The family will receive friends Thursday, September 8 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Anthony Funeral Home Kucko-Anthony-Kertesz Chapel, 1990 S Main St., Akron. Funeral service prayers will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, September 9 at the funeral home followed by a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Visitation of Mary Catholic Church (formally Annunciation Catholic Church) located at 87 Broad Street, Akron. Family and friends are invited to a luncheon celebration of Nick's life at the funeral home following the burial rites at Holy Cross Cemetery where Military Honors will also be held. Memorial donations may be made to Suncoast Hospice, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33760.