Nicholas J. Cekine, Jr.

Nicholas Cekine, Jr. (MR. PASTA) passed away on March 24, 2023, at the age of 89.  He was born in Wilmington, DE on May 23, 1933, to Nicholas A. Cekine, Sr. and Rose (Giammatteo) Cekine.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Kathleen (Lane) Cekine: his sister, Rose Marie Turcol; his children, Nicholas Cekine III (Charlene), Constance Griffith-Smith (Dale), Maureen Fisher (Mike), Bernadette Cekine (Tyler, friend), Eileen Morris (Douglas), Lorraine Sheldon (Paul Fagan), and Anthony Cekine. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Stephanie, Mike, A.J., Danielle, Kristen, Douglas, Katrina, Michael, Christopher, Caitlin, Melissa, Jackie, Jeff, and Alexandra; and by his great-grandchildren, Sophie, Kyle, Ariana, Tyler, Lillian, Lucas, and Benjamin.

Nick was predeceased by both his parents, as well as his sister, Jeannette Facciolo, and his brothers, Anthony Vignola, and Carmen Vignola, Sr. 

As a young boy, Nick was a hard worker, cutting grass, delivering newspapers, loading vending machines and picking mushrooms. He attended St. Paul’s Grade School, and Salesianum High School, where he played four years of varsity football.

Later in life, he was a door-to-door Hoover vacuum salesman, helped his sister and brother-in-law in their liquor store, and worked as a bricklayer. Nick and his friends built his original business location, on Philadelphia Pike, with an attached living area for his growing family. The business opened as the Holly Oak Sub Shop and later became Nick’s Pizza (originator of the pizza kit) and then MR. PASTA. He worked almost every day for nearly 64 years.

He was active within the community donating food and time to charity events at Holy Rosary Parish, St. Helena’s Parish, Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Archmere Academy, Salesianum, Maple Lane Elementary, Springer Intensive Learning Center, and to the physicians and nurses at Christiana Care Hospital during Covid.

Nicholas was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, as well as a pillar in the community. He enjoyed taking his children out for dinner every Sunday after church, and teaching them about the stock market and investing. He always had a story to tell, a good joke, or a clever comment. He enjoyed dancing and going on long drives. He had a work ethic that he instilled into his entire family. He loved sharing his knowledge and food with everyone. Nick and Kathy created a home full of love, laughter, and memories. His memory will live on for years to come. We love and miss you.

The Cekine family would like to thank the community for all your support over the span of Nicholas Cekine’s life.

Funeral services are private. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Memory of Nicholas may be made to:  Chimes Foundation,

4814 Seton Dr., Baltimore, MD 21215.  Please note:  Anthony Cekine’s Residence. Donations may also be made to Salesianum School, Attn:  Advancement, 1801 North Broom St., Wilmington, DE 19802 In Memory of Nicholas J. Cekine, Jr.

For online condolences, please visit

www.Gebhartfuneralhomes.com

302.798.7726

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