Nicholas DeFabbio

April 7, 2012

Nicholas Anthony DeFabbio, 67, of Richland Center was surrounded by his loving wife and children when he went to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 7, 2012, following a courageous battle with cancer. Nick was born July 30th, 1944 in Syracuse, NY to Nicholas and Josephine (Volturno) DeFabbio. He proudly served in the United States Navy from 1961 to 1965 and afterwards pursued a college education receiving a Bachelor of Arts with a major in American Studies from CSU – Fullerton. He loved the Lord, and spent the last 25 years with Christ as his savior. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. It always gave him great joy to mentor his children, grandchildren, and friends in the fine art of fishing. He had a unique sense of humor and loved to make other people laugh – regardless of the cost. In his later years he could be found spending the lunch hour at his favorite place to eat, Culver's, enjoying the company of a few dear friends. He is deeply loved and will be forever missed by those who had the privilege to know him. The family would like to thank Dr. Richardson, Dr. Leal, his favorite nurse, Sue Dean, and the staff at the Kramer Center and Richland Hospital, and also Dr. Resnick, the nursing staff from Neuro ICU and general Neuro at UW-Madison, and so many who cheered him on. He is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Robin DeFabbio of Richland Center, his wonderful children Chris (Jennifer) Veurink of Lake Wylie, S.C., Benjamin (Renee) DeFabbio of Muscoda, WI, Cherith (Shane) Dilley of Blue River, WI, and Jennifer (Timothy) Thomas of Oak Harbor, Wash, his two caring sisters, Madeline Fagliorone of Estero, FL and Frederica Waddell of Makanda, IL, his beloved grandchildren, Brianna and Jeremiah Veurink, Garrett and Destiny DeFabbio, and Chase, Kadin, Ty, Justice, and Violet Dilley, many beloved nieces and nephews, a large extended family, and wonderful friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Joseph DeFabbio. A Memorial Service celebrating his life will be held on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at 6:00 PM at the Clary Memorial Funeral Home in Richland Center. Friends and loved ones are invited to gather at Clary Memorial Funeral Home in Richland Center on Wednesday, April 11, 2012, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The local Military Honors rites will be performed at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made to GRACE (Greater Richland Area Cancer Elimination). " I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." II Timothy 4:7 "Good night, sweet prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!" William Shakespeare