Nicholas A. “Nick” DiGirolamo
December 6, 1931 - May 15, 2020
Nicholas A. “Nick” DiGirolamo, Chief Warrant Officer Four, Retired, passed away in his sleep on Friday, May 15, 2020.
Born in New Castle, DE on December 6, 1931, he was a son of the late Luciano and Stella Rossi DiGirolamo. Nick attended St. Peter’s School in New Castle, graduated from William Penn High School, and also graduated from the Spring Garden College in Philadelphia. In addition to his military career, he was an Electrical and Electronic technician at the Delaware Power and Light Company, Marcozzi Radio and TV Company, Delaware State Police, and an adjunct instructor at the Delaware Technical and Community College teaching Electrical and Electronic Technology courses. Nick was married to Joan Pasquale of Wilmington on September 13, 1958.
Nick began his military service on February 7, 1949 as a private in Battery D 736th Coast Artillery from New Castle. On August 19, 1950, his unit the 736th AAA Gun Battalion was mobilized for active duty service during the Korean War and was assigned to the 35th Air Defense Brigade. He served on active duty with his unit as an artillery gunner and later as a radio operator. In August 1952, he returned to Delaware with his unit and during the following eight years he progressed through the enlisted ranks and rose to the rank of Master Sergeant (E8). On June 5, 1960, he was commissioned as a Warrant Officer.
Nick received numerous commendations in both active duty service and state service. It was during this time that Nick rose through the ranks of Chief Warrant Officers.
Following state service in the Army National Guard, on March 19, 1984, he voluntarily entered active duty in the grade of Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4). He was stationed at the Pentagon during his active duty tour with assignments at the Department of the Army, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, and the National Guard Bureau (Personnel Division), and the Operations and Training Division. On December 6, 1991, Nick had served for 42 years in the military. He was a life Member in the U.S. Army Warrant Officer Association, the National Guard Association of the United States, the Delaware National Guard Retired Officers Association, the U.S. Army Ordinance Corps Association, the Military Officers Association of America, a Founding Sponsor of the National Museum of the U.S. Army, American Legion, and, on May 6, 2012, he became one of the first Warrant Officer Inductees in Delaware to the Warrant Officer Hall of Fame at the Bethany Beach training site.
Nick was proud of his family’s military career: his father served in WWI in the 82nd Air Bourne, All American Division. His brother, Angelo, served in WWII with the 3rd Army 4th Armor Division. His brother, Augustio, served in the Korean War with the 2nd Infantry Division and the Vietnam War.
Nick had a love for gardening and often would share his prize tomato plants with friends and families. He called his backyard Black Cat Farms and took pride in planning his extensive vegetable garden. Nick also had a love for animals, often letting his children bring home pets. In recent years, he has taken care of many abandoned cats. Nick will be missed by his family, friends – many of which he reconnected with through Facebook, and his beloved pets.
In addition to his parents, Nick was preceded in death by his brothers, Angelo and Augustino. He is survived by his children, Nicholas (Renee) of Ft. Worth, TX, Carleen Jennings (Steve) of Rehoboth Beach, David of Bethany Beach, Stephen (Sharon) of Ocean View, and Andrea (George) Segeda of Newark; grandchildren, Kelly Saponaro (Phillip), Daniel Jennings, Sophia DiGirolamo, Nicholas DiGirolamo, Anthony DiGirolamo, and Olivia Segeda; and great-grandchild, Liam Saponaro.
All services will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to an animal shelter of your choice in Nick’s memory.
Dawn Kasow, Jean Schoellig
Thinking you and your Family Carleen…Let us know if you need anything…
Frank lagola
It has been an honor & a privilege to be your friend Nick. Thank you for your service Sir. Rest in Peace my friend.
Rosemary davalos
I am so sorry to hear this news of Mr. Nick’s Passing. May he rest in peace. He will be missed. I loved seeing his tomato garden photos and his cats. God Bless him for his service to our country.
Tom and Kay Tamone
We feel your sorrow and will keep you all in our prayers. God bless.
Darryl Hayes
So very sorry for your lose. I worked with your father when I co-opted in High School (William Penn 1982) He was a great man Prayers for you his family and friends
Susan Kerns
Andrea and Family,
So sorry for your loss. I just want you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Your Dad was certainly an amazing person! I am sure he was very proud of you, and all of your educational accomplishments as well!
Lots of love,
Susan Kerns
Leni Quigley
I know that God holds Nick in the Palm of His Hand. I was honored to connect with him these past few years. What a terrific life and career. But I will miss my friend. With great sympathy, Leni Quigley Lunski, neighbor and friend.
Kathy Cottrell Redman
I have fond memories of living in Llangollen with you and your family.
Robert Sharpe
RIP Nick you will be greatly missed but not forgotten.
Livia Casale
My condolences to the family’s
Joyce Thompson
Sending Prayers of comfort and strength to Nick’s family at this time!
May Nick now rest among the angels.
Linda Ward
I can’t express my feelings about the loss of Mr. D to all of you! He was a great man. I am so very for your loss. I am especially glad I got to visit with him last summer & get a tour of his garden. My heartfelt sympathy is with you all!
PATTY ARNOLD
R.I.P MY FRIEND!!!! I LOVED TALKING TO YOU THREW FACEBOOK EXSPECIALLY ABOUT THE TIME YOU N MY GRANDFATHER SERVED TOGETHER IN WAR!!!! YOU HAD SO MUCH RESPECT FOR SO MANY!!! THANK YOU MY FRIEND I HAVE SO MUCH RESPECT FOR YOU!!!! SO SAD WE LOST A GOOD ONE!! 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙
kevin Small
I never had the honor of meeting this man..but from what I just read in his OBIT I missed meeting a GREAT MAN !! My condolences to all his loved ones and friends.
Major Travers, CW5 RET
Nick was a mentor for me as a young WO. Hope his passing was without pain. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Ginny Craig
Joan & Family – I am so sorry to see your dear hubby, Nick’s, picture in the obits. I extend my sympathy to you and your children during this very sad time. I hope all of you will be a source of support for one another during this grieving process. Warmly, Ginny Craig
Mary Henry
To the DiGirolamo Family,
I was honored to serve with Chief DiGirolamo in the Delaware Army National Guard (DENG). As you’ve depicted beautifully in the video he was a very decent, kind and strong man and dedicated soldier. We share the same induction day into the DENG Hall of Fame and wedding anniversary. He raised a wonderful family with much to be proud of. I hope the many fond memories he has left with you bring you some solace.
Martin DiSabatino (CSM RET)
Di Girolamo Family, My Prayers and thoughts are with you all today. I had the honor and pleasure to work and serve with a Great Gentleman and Mentor. Chief Nick was the Best. Rest in Peace my friend.
Phyllis Susi
Joan, So sorry to hear about Nick. Sending you and your family healing prayers as you go through this sorrowful time in your life. God will take care of you and your family and especially Nick as he enters into life eternal.
Phyllis and Pete
Joan Moroney
I did not know Nick personally But He made you feel like you knew him all your life May he Rest in Peace
leanora m moody
God Bless the family,Nick was loved by all who knew him,he will be missed.
Herbert O. Wardell JR, BG Retired
Joan, I was devastated to hear of the passing of Nick. We communicated regularly on Facebook and E-mail and just before his passing. I have known and worked with this fine gentlemen and soldier since 1952. He was my Communication Mentor and the first person I met when joining the 736th in the NG. My wife still is growling the tomato seeds Nick gave us on our past visit. He loved God, Family, Friends, his garden and country. He will be missed and we pray for you comfort through this sorrowful time. God bless the Family.
Rhonda Moore
Joan and family,Great great family. We lived next door to the DiGirolamo’s for several years. Sorry for your loss. Will keep the family in my prayers. Sincerely Rhonda
Joe Antonio
I’m proud to have know Nick and will miss his Facebook updates. My condolences to the DiGirolamo family. You must be very proud of Nick, his service to our country, and his wonderful personality. Many blessings. May he rest peacefully.
Sara D Hutchinson
Andrea, I am so sorry that you have lost your Dad. I did not know him, but you and my daughter Becca were good friends in elementary school at Carrie Downie.. I will tell Becca of your loss.
Francis D. Vavala
DiGirolamo Family,
I was deeply saddened on receiving the news of Nick’s passing. I considered him a dear friend, soldier and leader. Both I and my late Father had the privilege and honor of serving with him and I grieve with you on his loss.
He was a true icon in our Delaware National Guard and his legacy and memory will live on in the many lives he touched in his long and illustrious career.
Please know that the entire Family is in my thoughts and prayers. May the Lord bless you and give you comfort and strength in your bereavement.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Frank Vavala
Major General USA (Ret)
Peggy Aiello
RIP Nick, thank you for your service to our country. I know you will have a beautiful garden in paradise! Praying for our Lord to provide comfort to your family at this time. 🙏
Jerry Fuller
My sincere condolences to Andrea and her family in the loss of her father. Nick was a true American hero in his service to our country. May he RIP…🙏🏻
Laura Sowers Brown
The DiGirolamo family, I am so sorry to hear of loss of your husband and father. I have known Nick since my family move to Llangollen as youngster with his children to being to being an adult, as member of the LECA and a neighbor. Also, my twin sons knew him growing up In Llangollen. We all knew him as wonderful man and great person. I miss hearing about his love for his family, his love for animals/cats and his garden. My family’s prayers go out to Nick’s family at this time.
Laura, Joe and John Brown
Dawn Kasow/ Jean Schoellig
Carleen…Thinking of you and your family at this difficult time.
Jan T Snedeker
Nick and Carleen,
I am so sorry to learn of you fathers passing. I last saw him a few years ago at his induction into the Delaware Non Commissioned/Warrant officer Hall Of Fame when my brother in law was inducted as well. he looked good and was the same as I remembered. It was good to see him and a privilege to watch his induction. Take comfort in his life well lived.
Jan
Alfred (Al) O. Grimminger
My prayers are with Nick and his family. RIP my friend. We go a long way back, in different units together and working full-time.
Terri tavani
Joan, I am so sad for your loss. I pray your memories will sustain you through this difficult time. To all the DiGirolamo children my condolences on the loss of your Dad. Thank you for your service Nick.
Karen and John
Sending love to Carleen, and all members of her family, and hope the many years of wonderful memories of her Dad are a source of comfort during this difficult and sad time. Karen and John Pietrobono
Deborah Marcoz
I used to work with cousin Nick at Marcozzi many years ago. He was a sweet loving man who always had a smile and a joke for you. I know he will be missed by all he had contact with. I know he’s in heaven with his brothers having a good time and he will be missed here on earth!
COL Wiley Blevins
Nick, was an outstanding American patriot and an inspiration in so many ways. God bless him and his family.
COL Wiley Blevins
Delaware Army National Guard
Walter Powell
so sorry for your passing, Nick. Take good care of those tomatoes in Heaven.
Mary Graybeal
To all of the Di Girolamo family, I am saddened at this passing. And yet I know Mr. D. was so full of life. He was so passionate about living and proud to serve his country. His zest for life and family lives on in each of you. What an honorable man. I know you will celebrate him always and cherish your memories. Hugs to all of you. ❤️
Carmela and Maj. Gen (Ret.) Francis A. Ianni
Our apologies for missing the announcement. I was born 4 months before Nick in Shawtown and grew up with the DiGirolamo family. I joined the Guard 5 years before Nick, and his brother Auggey and I were in the same detachment for years when our paths parted with the outbreak of the Korean War. Nick and I served together in the Guard when I returned in l977 and we reconnected and shared many memories.. Our deepest condolences to the family.