Nunzio J. Speno

A prayer service for Nunzio J. Speno will be Saturday, November 21st, 10:15 a.m. at the Reed & Benoit Funeral Home followed by an 11 a.m. funeral Mass at St. Anthony's Church with Rev. Donald Robinson officiating. Entombment will follow in the Glenwood Mausoleum. Calling hours are Friday from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the Reed & Benoit Funeral Home. Contributions may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County.

Mr. Speno, 84, of 522 Weldon Dr., died Tuesday night at his home.

He was born in Watertown, November 12, 1925, a son of Michael and Angelina (Ann) DeVito Speno. He graduated from Watertown High School in 1942. Mr. Speno served with the US Marine Corps during WW II from November 11, 1943 until honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal, March 5, 1946. While on active duty he served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations, participating in battles at Tinian and Okinawa.

Mr. Speno married Parmae G. Mitchell, November 11, 1946 at St. Anthony's Church with Rev. Henry W. McFadden officiating. Mr. Speno worked at the New York Air Brake, the A&P Grocery Store on Arsenal St. and his mother's restaurant, Ann's Restaurant. Mr. & Mrs. Speno purchased the restaurant from his mother, Ann D. Bryant, in 1968. Mrs. Speno died November 20, 2002. The restaurant was sold in 2005.

Nunzie was a communicant of St. Anthony's Parish, a member of several golf courses in the area, the Watertown Elks Lodge and a former member of the Italian American Club. He was an avid golfer, and played handball and softball for many years. He was a member of the Watertown Marine Corps League and played Red & Black football from 1946-1951 and was a 2002 inductee into the Red & Black Hall of Fame.

Mr. Speno is survived by two daughters and a son-in-law, Michele Speno Doherty, Shelley and Kim Thompson, all of Watertown; his daughter-in-law, Mary Speno, Syracuse; grandchildren, Marianne and Jerry Levine, Watertown, Michelle and Claude Fowler, Florida, Michael A. Speno and Natalie Thompson, both of Syracuse, Nina Thompson, Watertown; six great-grandchildren and three nephews.

Nunzie was predeceased by his son, Michael J., on July 11, 2003. His brother Michael also predeceased him.

Online condolences may be made at www.reedbenoit.com.