Nicholas Titolo of Babylon, formerly of Sag Harbor, died on February 15 after suffering from PSP, a progressive palsy, for more than 11 years. He was 73.
Mr. Titolo was born in Laurelton on August 2, 1940, to Grace and Sal Titolo. The family began spending summers in a cottage on Noyac Bay when he was 9 years old. After surviving polio at age 8, this was a good place for him to rebuild his strength, and he eventually grew up to be a “healthy, handsome man of 6’4,” said the family. Mr. Titolo loved the ocean, the bay, water skiing and being part of Sag Harbor.
After serving in the U.S. Army, he joined his family, who had moved permanently to Sag Harbor after his dad, age 48, suffered a disabling stroke. Mr. Titolo worked at the Bulova Watchcase Factory during the day and was a part-time bartender at the “Seaside” night spot by the Sag Harbor bridge.
Eventually he married and settled in Babylon, where he and his wife, Loretta, raised two daughters. He worked for Swiss Airlines and traveled widely until he retired. Shortly after his retirement, he became ill. “Nick suffered for many years, and like his dad, he never complained,” said the family, who added, “He was our hero.”
He is survived by his wife, Loretta Titolo; two daughters, Jennifer Bleicher and Theresa Roche; four grandchildren, Simon Bleicher, Spencer Bleicher, Megan Roche and Nicholas Roche; two sisters, Toni Hallock-Betts and Linda Statam; a niece, Denise Hallock; and nephew, Michael Statam; and their children, Drew and Rose.
Funeral services were under the direction of Boyd-Spencer Funeral Home of Babylon.
Memorial donations may be made to www.curepsp.com.
on Feb 24, 2014