Obituary of Dante R. Nieri

NIERI, Dante of Locust Valley and Glen Cove, NY on July 21, 2019 age 96. Husband of the late Ethel C. Father of David (Peggy), Ron (Kathi) & Jeff (Sandy). Brother of the late Rena Maccarone & Silvio. Grandfather of Alyson, Scott, Jessica, Nicolas, Chris & Lexie. Great-grandfather of  4. Also survived by numerous nieces & nephews. Visiting held at Dodge-Thomas Funeral Home of Glen Cove on Wednesday from 3-5 and 7-9pm. Service and Burial at Locust Valley Cemetery Thursday at 11am. A donation may be made to Glen Cove Sage Foundation (Benefits Glen Cove Senior Center), 130 Glen St., Glen Cove or Cove Animal Rescue 40 Shore Road Glen Cove.

Dante R. Nieri background:

At the age of six, Dante Nieri came through Ellis Island from Italy with his mother and siblings to join their father in America.  They settled in Locust Valley where he became a U.S. citizen and began school. Graduating from Glen Cove High School in 1942, Dante joined the U.S. Navy in December and trained as a gunner in the Navy Armed Guard to protect merchant ships during World War II.  Still in his early 20s, he sailed the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Persian Gulf. After the war ended he was discharged in 1946 and trained to become an aviation mechanic and worked at MacArthur Field (Islip). He later landed a job with the Long Island Lighting Company, and worked in the field for nearly 35 years, often doing storm restoration work after Long Island's hurricanes.

Dante married Ethel Watson in 1949, and purchased a home in the President Streets of Glen Cove, where they lived for 68 years, raising three sons.  While his sons were growing up, Dante coached baseball and football teams at City Stadium, and served on the committee of his sons' Boy Scout Troop 184.  He picked up the art of giving haircuts while in the service, and in addition to trimming his boys' hair, neighborhood parents often sent their sons to him for summer haircuts, which he did in the basement of his home.  A strong and avid swimmer, Dante taught both relatives and many local boys how to swim at Crescent Beach.

A man of many talents, he modified the modest Cape Cod-style home again and again, expanding it as needed to accommodate his growing family.  He was proficient at carpentry, plumbing and electrical work, and could maintain his own automobiles. He had a knack for working in wood and metal, skills he picked up while at sea in the Navy, and he often produced beautiful carvings and other objects from brass.

Dante was proud of his military service during World War II and he attended every veterans ceremony held in the City of Glen Cove.  He remained an active member of the Armed Guard Association until he was no longer able to travel to their meetings.  

Dante Nieri was a frequent participant at City Council Meetings for most of his life in Glen Cove.  He was a firm believer that you can fight City Hall, and was not afraid to speak his mind on topics of concern to him.   He served on committees to plan reunions for the Glen Cove High School Class of 1942, and with his wife Ethel of 69 years, were members of senior clubs in both Glen Cove and Locust Valley.