Nicholas “Nick” Serrani, residing in Huntley, IL passed away peacefully on April 14, 2024 surrounded by his three daughters. Born on July 8, 1927 in Rome, New York to Nuncio and Maria (Gentile) Serrani of Tolentino, Italy, Nick was the youngest of six. Nick is preceded in death by his loving wife of 69 years, Nancy, his parents, brothers Francesco, Americo, Italo and sisters Theresa and Lillian, sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws. Graduating early his senior year of high school, he enlisted in the Navy during World War II. After the war, he continued his education at State University of New York earning a business degree. This launched his tenured 38 year career with the J.C. Penney Co starting in Amsterdam, New York, with transfers along the way in various management roles, to Hicksville, Long Island, Cincinnati, Ohio, the Chicago suburbs and ending in Richmond, Indiana. Nick embraced each new community, always making lifelong friends, volunteering in countless capacities at his church, and serving on many nonprofit boards and committees. He and Nancy took pride in their role of helping to open a Catholic high school in Richmond, Indiana. In 2012, with the desire to be closer to their daughters, Nick and Nancy moved to Del Webb Community in Huntley, IL. Nick’s legacy of strong faith, work ethic, gentle ways, and one liners will forever be remembered by his daughters who survive him, Carol (Mark) Anderson, Jean (Steve) Spohn, and Christine (Mark) Carlascio. Always in good humor and often with a joke or quip, he was the adoring Papa to grandchildren Lindsey (Lenny) Perry, Matthew (Tara) Anderson, Katharine Anderson, Lauren Anderson (fiancé John Sprague), Tia (Kelly) Cooper, Nick (Amanda) Spohn, Tessa Carlascio, and Isabella Carlascio. Great-Grandchildren Jack, Bennett, Luke, and Nathan Perry, Emma and Hannah Anderson, Simon and Francesca Cooper, Harry and Marion Spohn. Survivors also include brother-in-law Nick (Judy) Cassetta as well as dozens of loving nieces and nephews.
A visitation will take place from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at St. Mary Catholic Church, 10307 Dundee-Huntley Road, Huntley, Illinois. Interment will be private at Grand Detour Cemetery. Arrangements by DeFiore Funeral Home, 10763 Dundee-Huntley Road, Huntley, Illinois.
Please leave a video condolence by entering your name and click the "Record" button below. You can always preview your video prior to submitting it. Please note that you may receive a prompt to grant DefioreFuneral access to your camera. This is only temporary and will be solely for the duration of recording your condolence message.
Sorry for the passing of Nick. I learned a lot from him.
A beautiful tribute to a special brother-in-law.
A beautiful tribute to a special brother-in-law.
My deepest sympathy to all the Serrani descendents. May the memories be a blessing.
Nick was a very kind and friendly person. I first met Nick when he was on the Chicago staff. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy. Bruce and Linda Hill
Always a pleasure to visit you at Richmond JC Penney Store Nick,May you rest in peace.
I always enjoyed talking with Nick about retail. Betwe fromen the two of us we shared about 70 years of retail history from the 50's through the 2020's. Rest in peace.
A wonderful neighbor and a truly charming man. He always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eyes. It was our privilege to have known him. He’ll live on with all who knew him through the fond memories we share of a truly gracious, kind, and warm-hearted man.
Dear Carol, Jean, Christine, and Family, As the Director of Alumni Relations Emeritus, I offer you the sympathy and prayers of the Saint Viator/Sacred Heart of Mary community. Our hearts go out to you as you move forward on your journey of grief. We pray for you as you share the stories, laugh and cry, and continue to find ways to celebrate your father and the love you shared. As I read the obituary and posts for this "adoring Papa," and lifelong volunteer, who was a truly "generous, kind, and warm hearted man," I was reminded of a reading adapted from the Book of Sirach. “Let us praise an illustrious man, faithful to his family and friends, strong in his love. At peace in his heart and his world, he has left us his good name, and we recount his life of praiseworthy deeds. A generous man his good works will never be forgotten. Among his family and friends remains a rich inheritance born of him…. His name lives on from generation to generation. We gather to sing his praises. We proclaim his wisdom and love of life all our days.” May God’s promise that life is changed, not ended, comfort you! May the knowledge that your father lives on in you as you reflect his "strong faith, work ethic, and gentle ways" in your lives, give you peace and hope! God bless you with the gifts you most need! Judy Judith Wampach Amberg Saint Viator High School Director of Alumni Relations Emeritus
My first job was working for Mr. Serrani at the Richmond, Indiana JCPenney store. He was a great boss and has always been someone I thought helped shape many values and approaches I still deem important today. Even though, he was the boss, we always moved faster and worked harder when his wife, Nancy visited the store. Sorry for your loss.
I worked with Nick in the JCPenney store in New Hyde Park, New York in the early 1960's and remember Nick for his hard work...always on the run and always friendly. I too had a 38-year career with JCPenney beginning in 1956 followed by a transfer to the New York office. then continuing in Texas with the 1988 move. When watching the Eagles, I always remember the Nick I knew.