Nacy A. Panzica

NACY A. PANZICA, age 92, beloved husband of the late Rosemary (nee Bontempo), loving father of Anthony M. (Cindy), Timothy I. (Donna), Mary Beth R. Link (Don) and Laura A. King  (John), dear grandfather of Mark Panzica (Rena), Lisa Minotas (Brian), David  Panzica (Katie), Laura  Touzalin (Rob), Meredith Manning (Joe), Michael Panzica (Katie), Matthew Panzica (Patrick), Craig Panzica (Molly), Adam Link (Hana), Amanda Patel (Sunil), Austin Link (Betsy), Andrew Link, Lauren Nadaud (Mark), John King (Carly), Tricia Burnett (Matt) and Brian King; great-grandfather to 26, dearest brother to the late Marina Rinella, Rose DiNatale, Katie Rinella, Josie Tagliente and Lucille Amodeo, dearest brother-in-law to Carmella Jirousek and the late Angie Larrow and Nene Bontempo, treasured uncle and great-uncle to many. Nacy was a U.S. Navy war veteran and was an Ellis Island Medal recipient in 2003. His many affiliations included Catholic Charities Corporation, Cuyahoga Community College, Arthritis Foundation of Greater Cleveland, St Augustine Manor and organizations devoted to aiding developmentally disabled children.

Nacy Panzica was born in 1927 in the small coal mining town of Burgettstown, PA, the only son of six children; he enlisted in the Navy in WW II just after high school, barely meeting the minimums of height & weight.

Nacy came to Cleveland in 1946, lived with his oldest sister, & enrolled at Cleveland College (now CSU) for a course in business administration under the GI Bill.

Nacy became a carpenter apprentice and in the early ‘50s, he worked for many home builders & remodelers.

In 1956, he formed Nacy Panzica Builders, placing a $3.50 ad in the community paper advertising his new venture and through his guidance and leadership, Panzica Construction Company grew substantially over the years.

Blessed with 4 children (Tony, Tim, Mary Beth, & Laura), 16 grandchildren, & 27 great grandchildren, Nacy always preached and lived “family first!” But a close second to him was his deep pride in his Italian heritage.

A man of extraordinary energy and drive, his consistent mantra was always “How do you know unless you try?”

His many affiliations included Catholic Charities Corporation, Cuyahoga Community College, Arthritis Foundation of Greater Cleveland, St Augustine Manor, and organizations devoted to aiding developmentally disabled children.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Nacy to Catholic Charities of Cleveland, 1404 E. 9^th St., Cleveland, OH 44114 or to Hospice of the Western Reserve, P.O. Box 72101, Cleveland, OH 44192. Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church (Gates Mills) at 10 AM. Burial following with Military Honors at All Souls Cemetery. Family will receive friends to pay tribute and celebrate the life of Nacy at THE DeJOHN FUNERAL HOME & CELEBRATIONS CENTER OF CHESTERLAND, 12811 CHILLICOTHE ROAD (Rt. 306, just south of Mayfield Rd.) TUESDAY 3-8 PM.