One of New Hyde Park’s own will be honored during the village’s Columbus Day parade Sunday.
Nicholas Nuzzi, 87, will be the grand marshal for the village’s second annual parade. Nuzzi, the retired president of Lakewood Bakery, a wholesale bakery with locations in Farmingdale and Valley Stream, is a lifer in New Hyde Park.
“I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else,” Nuzzi said.
Nuzzi’s parents, Giovanni and Maria–who met on Mulberry Street in Manhattan–moved to the village in 1927 with their six children, adding six more after establishing their roots. It’s hard to live in New Hyde Park and not know a member of the Nuzzi family, Mayor Christopher Devane said.
“Their name is synonymous with New Hyde Park and we are blessed to have them. They’re a phenomenal family,” Devane said.
Nuzzi’s brother, Michael, has Michael J. Nuzzi Field on Stewart Street named after him. Mario Nuzzi, another of Nicholas’ brothers, founded Nuzzi Auto Collision, currently on Jericho Turnpike. Nuzzi also worked with his family at Nuzzi Fuel, which is currently located in Mineola.
Nuzzi said that when Devane–whom he has been friends with for a long time–told him about being the grand marshal he was thrilled by the news. Last year, Nuzzi drove Remo Scarapicchia of Remo’s Italian Deli in his 1975 Chevrolet convertible, but this year he will be driven through the parade by resident Reid Sakowich.
“This is such a wonderful village,” Nuzzi said. “We have such a close-knit community that helps each other out. It’s been a wonderful place to grow up.”
Starting at 10 a.m., local organizations will be featured on Jericho Turnpike from Lakeville Road to New Hyde Park Road, with refreshments served at village hall.
The parade is sponsored by Gino’s, Dominick’s Italian Deli, Remo’s and Umberto’s, which are providing food and refreshments at village hall following the parade.
Devane said he is looking forward to celebrating the village’s Italian community and Nuzzi, whose family he said are great ambassadors for New Hyde Park.
“Whether you went to the auto shop, got gas from them or went to their bakery, everyone has a story,” Devane said. “It’s a credit to their family and their parents for bringing them to this community and thankfully they did.”
