SARASOTA, Fla. — Nicola D. Talarico Sr., 86, of Sarasota, Fla., and formerly of Lewiston, was called home Friday, May 11, 2018 at 8:20 a.m. at the Tidewell Hospice House in Sarasota, Fla. Waiting for him in heaven is his wife, Gloria, and his sons Toby, Tony and Kris.

Born June 21, 1931, he was the son of Italian immigrants, Salvatore and Carmela (Gallelli) Talarico. Nicola was educated in Lewiston schools, where he met the love of his life, Gloria (Figoli) Talarico. They were married Oct. 21,1950.

Nick served in the U.S. Air Force from 1948 to 1950, and had the distinguished honor of driving President Harry S. Truman around the base when the president was there for a visit. Soon after Gloria and Nick were married, Nick went on to open a local landmark, Luiggi’s Pizzeria, with his brothers Louis and Frank Talarico and his brother-in-law, James Angelides. After working with them for a while, Nick ventured off on his own and opened Talarico’s Pizzeria, and after closing that he was employed by Pioneer Plastics, where he made his way up into management, working in several areas of the company and also serving as president of its management organization, retiring after 26 years with the company.

Nick was a loving and devoted husband and father. In the last few years of her life, Nick devoted himself to caring for his loving wife, Gloria, until her death in 1996. He was a caring man and always there if you needed help or advice. He was, some have said, to be the definition of unconditional love. He loved his children very much.

He enjoyed seeing people having fun, and while employed at Pioneer Plastics he was charged for many years with putting together the company picnic and the infamous spaghetti suppers, using the Talaricos’ secret recipe. Nick was always there to help by putting on a spaghetti supper as a fundraiser for someone in need. Nick was also a member of the Pastime Club and the Carlton Club, where he would enjoy spending time with friends and socializing.

He enjoyed playing cards, and over the past two years he also enjoyed going alligator hunting every day with his son, Tim, and taking rides down by the beach.

Nick lived in Maine for his entire life, until moving to Florida with his son, Tim, in July 2016, where at the age of 84 he began a new chapter of his life, one that he enjoyed very much. He especially loved to talk to people in Maine during the winter to tell them that while they were getting snow and cold, he was sitting on a bench at the beach, and after he would hang up the phone he would turn to Tim and say, “Glad I’m not up there,” and chuckle.

Nick is survived by his sons Timothy, who has been his caregiver for several years, Nicola Jr. and Thomas Talarico; daughter, Debra Talarico Dube, and husband, Dan Dube; daughters-in-law Rachel LeBlond Talarico and Rachel Martin Talarico; grandchildren Marco and Tiffany; Marcus, Jenessa, Kasey, Kris Jr. and Becky Talarico; Sarah Dube Legare and husband, Jared; Jason Dube and wife, Haley Veilleux; and Joshua Coffin, who was a big help in caring for Nick. He is also survived by five great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his wife, Gloria Figoli Talarico, who died in October 1996; his son Toby Talarico, who died in April 1996; his son Tony Talarico, who died in September 2004; and his son Kris, who died in December 2017; as well as his brothers Louis and Frank Talarico; and sisters Mary Dennis, Dorothy Libby and Filomena Beaulieu.

Nick will be missed by all who were lucky enough to know him. As one grandson put it, the sauce and meatballs in heaven just got exceptionally better. Save us a spot at the table.

Condolences and a video tribute may be accessed online at www.albert-burpee.com.

Nicola D. Talarico Sr.

Nicola D. Talarico Sr.

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