John Nicholas Nelli
March 30, 1957–Oct. 8, 2004
John Nicholas Nelli, 47, of Cary died Oct. 8, 2004, with his family at his home. John was a loving husband, devoted father, dutiful and caring son and brother, and loyal friend whose enthusiasm for life, strength of character and love of the Lord will be missed. He is survived by his wife, Patrice Cecchetti Nelli, and his sons, Nicholas, Nathan, Garrett and Austin. He is also survived by his parents, Joseph and Dolarita Nelli of Gastonia, and his grandmother, Giovannina Nelli of Riverton, N.J. Also surviving are brothers, J. Robert Nelli Jr. and wife Eileen of South Windsor, Conn., James Nelli and wife Katherine of Gastonia, Thomas Nelli and wife Cortney of Fisherville, Va., Christopher Nelli and wife Michelle of Austin, Texas, William Nelli and wife Kristen of Simpsonville, S.C., and Steven Nelli of Las Cruces, N.M., and sister Jeanne Marie Vick and husband John of Simpsonville, S.C.; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. John also was blessed with a dedicated and loving in-law family.
Born March 30, 1957 in Cincinnati, Ohio, he grew up in Gastonia. He attended St. Michael’s Catholic School and Ashbrook High School. He graduated from Appalachian State University and received his master’s degree in accounting from Virginia Polytechnic Institute.
John began his professional career in Durham in 1980 and lived in Raleigh and Durham until 1989, when he and his family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, Pawleys Island, S.C., and Matthews. A resident of Cary since 1995, he was most recently employed by Tangram Enterprise Solutions of Cary as senior vice president and chief financial officer.
He was a dedicated parishioner of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church in Apex. As an avid outdoorsman, John loved to fish, camp and especially duck hunt. He also enjoyed coaching youth basketball and baseball. His special passion was football, which he coached for the past eight years with Cary Pop Warner.
John was devoted to his children, giving them an example of faith lived with enormous courage, grace and humor. The courageous spirit with which John Nelli lived his life will live forever in all those who knew him.
The family extends its gratitude for the many prayers and the kindness demonstrated by family and dear friends around the world. A special thank you to the staff at the Duke Brain Tumor Center, especially Elaine Martell and Dr. James Vrendenburgh.
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