Nicholas Stephen Gandolfo

Nicholas S. Gandolfo, 93. Of Artesia, California, passed away February 28, 2019. With him were sons, Steve and Gerald Gandolfo, daughter-in-law, Laura Gandolfo, grandchildren, Steve Gandolfo, Meredith Bozarth, Natalie Gandolfo and great-grandchild, Garrett Gandolfo.

Nick was born July 13, 1925 in Los Angeles, California, the son of Nicholas and Palmera Gandolfo. He was the youngest of three children. His family moved from Los Angeles to Artesia, California were Nick’s family owned a large flower ranch. Nick married his childhood sweetheart, Flora Mae Gorini on August 19, 1951, at Holy Family Church.

After graduating from Excelsior Union High in Norwalk, Nick served in the U.S. Army with distinction during the World War II. He was awarded the American Campaign Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Victory Medal and the Purple Heart.

Upon arriving back in California, Nick attended and graduated from Occidental College in 1951. He also attended Long Beach State College for graduate work and completed a Master’s in Education from Whitter College. Nick began his teaching career in the English department at Excelsior High School in 1951 and subsequently moved to John Glenn High School in La Mirada as a counselor in 1962. He retired from Norwalk La Mirada School District in 1987.

For most of his life Nick was a devoted member of Holy Family Parish in Artesia. He served as a Sunday lector for over 25 years, as a member of the Finance Committee for 15 years and organized the HELP Center for needy families.

Nick and Flo loved to travel and in total visited over 41 countries and 38 states in the U.S. Memorable family vacations included summers in Big Bear, Crestline, Arrowhead and a whirlwind trip to Europe in 1971. The couple entertained family throughout the years and hosted many gatherings of the “Gastromaniacs,” a group of their closest friends.

Nick was an avid puzzler and became an expert at solving crossword puzzles and “Jumbles” in the Los Angeles Times. He loved to read and kept books and copies of current Time and Newsweek magazines on his bed stand.

Nick is survived by his wife, Flora Mae; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Laura Gandolfo, of Cerritos; daughter and son-in-law Christina and Terry Hickey, of Arroyo Grande; son, Gerald of Foothill Ranch; son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Marianna Gandolfo, of University Heights, Ohio; daughter and son-in-law, Anne and Michael Cordoni, of San Jose; son, Gian Gandolfo, of Commerce City, Colorado; nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Nicholas and Palmera; sisters, Julia Gandolfo and Doris Scholar.

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401