Amenia, NY – Nunzio Incorvaia entered into eternal rest with our Lord, Jesus Christ on May 2, 2017 after a hard fought battle with cancer. He was born May 8, 1946 in Gela, Sicily to the late Salvatore and Rosaria Incorvaia, the fifth of six children. After spending his childhood in Sicily, Nunzio moved to Poughkeepsie, NY in the United States in 1960 at the age of 14 where his oldest brother Francesco and several other cousins, aunts and uncles already resided.
On May 3, 1966, Nunzio entered the United States Army, where he was drafted to serve for Vietnam. He was stationed at Fort Eustis, VA where he would remain his entire time in the service. While in the Army, he was trained to be a cargo handler, a skill that he would use after his service as a heavy equipment operator with Lomabardi & Sons. Nunzio earned the rank of Specialist 4th Class, as well as the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and Expert Badge for the M-14 rifle. Due to his status as an Italian Citizen, he avoided overseas service in Vietnam, but would instead serve on the Honor Guard in Arlington National Cemetery, a duty that would have a profound impact on him for the remainder of his life. He received an Honorable Discharge on May 2, 1968.
On August 24, 1968 he married Tillie Maier at St. Peter’s Church, Hyde Park, NY. He would go on the become a Master Mason, a trade that he was encouraged to take up by his oldest brother, Francesco. Many of his works can be seen throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond. In 1977, Nunzio became a naturalized American citizen, something of which he was very proud.
Nunzio is survived by his wife of 49 years, Tillie Maier Incorvaia, Amenia NY, son Salvatore and daughter-in-law, Julie Incorvaia and their three boys, Brendon, Collyn and Dylan of Fort Mill, SC, his brother Angelo Incorvaia of Wappinger Falls, Emanuela Cauchi of Poughkeepsie and Nunzia Romano of Tarpon Springs, FL as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Nunzio was preceded in death by his brother Antonino and Francesco.
He was a member of the Local 1 Bricklayers & Allied Craftsman, past member of the Poughkeepsie Elks Lodge, active member of the Italian Center of Poughkeepsie, the Pirates Canoe Club and American Legion, Post 1302, where he was also an active Honor Guard member.
A Celebration of Nunzio’s life will take place at 218 Mill St. Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 on Saturday June 10th from 6-8pm. Street level and wheelchair accessible entrance located off Vassar St.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to American Legion, Post 1302 or Hudson Valley Hospice.
