Obituary of Nicola Minutolo

April 26, 1946 - July 3, 2024

Nicola Minutolo. Age 78 of Southgate.

Beloved father of Eduardo (Angela) and Antony (Lisa). Loving grandfather of Monique (Gabbie), Madison, Nicolas and Bennett. Dearest brother of Giovanni, Teresa Adducci and the late Francesco. Dear brother-in-law of Vittoria. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his late wife Iolanda.

Family Tribute

Nicola Minutolo was born in the beautiful seaside town of Trebisacce in the Calabria region of Italy. One of four children of Eduardo and Margherita (Luttri), Nicola was devoted to God and his family.

After high school, and service in the Italian military, Nicola came to the United States to join his older brother in pursuit of greater opportunities than their homeland had to offer in a post-WWII economic and political climate. He found steady work in construction and ultimately formed his first Masonry company, putting his strong work ethic and Italian craftsmanship into countless homes and subdivisions in Metro Detroit.

Nicola found the love of his life at an Italian festival in Windsor. Iolanda Marra was a Calabrian in Canada and they were smitten. Nick and Linda married in 1969 and welcomed their first child, Eduardo, in 1970. Antony followed in 1975, and much of the the boys’ childhoods were spent crossing and re-crossing the border immersed in the Italian culture of Erie Street in Windsor, and the circle their parents had built around themselves in Michigan.

Nicola worked hard. Back breaking work. He instilled the importance of God, family, and integrity in his children. He taught them to have faith, fairness, and to be men of their word. He showed them that dreams were within reach, and that strength of mind and character were more important than strength of body.

Nicola and Iolanda raised their two boys in a home that Nicola designed and built himself in Riverview. His pride in his family, his work, and his home was always apparent to everyone around him.

Forced into retirement after developing a very rare disease in the late 1980’s, Nicola’s perseverance helped him defy medical odds and adjust to a new normal with acceptance and a positive attitude. He was able to spend more time with his family and friends, and years later would even work on occasion to keep his body moving and his mind strong.

Along the way, Nicola found an additional source of pride when he was blessed with two bonus children in his daughters in law, and four beautiful grandchildren. He was quick to share pictures and stories of his grandkids with anyone he encountered. Nothing brought out Nonno’s beaming smiles and bold, hearty laughs faster than a game of peek-a-boo. His pride in his grandchildren as they grew up continued, still showing pictures and telling stories to everyone around him.

Family dinner was important to Nicola. Even if it was just ordering a pizza, nothing brought him more joy than having his kids and grandkids all under one roof. He would occasionally doze off amidst all the noise and chaos, but it was simply proof of his pure contentedness.

Nicola loved to laugh and he loved people. He never met a stranger. He was kind, and generous, and strong. He loved a good bargain, buffets, dollar store Jesus candles, and his family. Nicola, Nick, Dad, Nonno will be greatly missed.