Nicholas A. Mancini Sr.

Former Owner & President of Portland Sand & Gravel, Inc.

Nicholas Mancini, Sr. passed away on September 6, 2013 after a long illness. Born on January 30, 1921 in Portsmouth, NH, he was the son of Antonio and Louise (Bilodeau) Mancini. Nick attended both Portsmouth and Portland schools. He married the former Mary Aceto on October 19, 1940 and together they raised four sons in the Munjoy Hill area.

Nick spent many years working with his father, learning the sand & gravel business from every angle. He developed a keen sense for where gravel could be found, reading elevations, vegetation and even stone walls. After Antonio sold the business to move to Florida in the 1960’s, Nick founded Portland Sand & Gravel, Inc. A few years later, Nick’s oldest son, Anthony, and youngest son, Nicholas Jr., would join the growing family business.

Nick was a very smart and successful businessman. He was active in all parts of the business from maintaining the crushers to loading trucks. He helped grow the company to what it is today and reluctantly retired at the age of 80 due to health problems. Some of the company’s most accomplished partnerships and projects which Nick was extremely proud of include the Tukey’s Bridge interchange, Franklin Towers, Auburn Terrace, Merrill’s Pier, the CMP plant on Cousin’s Island and the sewage plant off Marginal Way. The Cumberland County Civic Center was one of the company’s first big jobs. Portland Sand & Gravel has also supplied materials to many of the local businesses in Southern Maine over the years. Nick was thrilled that a 3rd generation of Mancini’s would continue to grow the business with the addition of his grandson, Anthony Rocco, helping to run the daily operations. Even in retirement, some of Nick’s greatest joy came from just talking about the business.

In his off time, Nick enjoyed meeting with friends at such places as Dunkin’ Donuts, the Columbia Social & Athletic Club and the Paul Malia Post. He loved a good game of cards, scratching instant lottery tickets, watching old westerns and delivering donuts to his great- grandkids on his way to work. As a young man, he was an avid hunter and a great pool player. In his later years, he and Mary would travel to Ivanhoe Lodge in Ormond Beach, Florida during the winter months. He loved to talk to people and always had a story to tell. His most infamous line at family dinners was “If it wasn’t for me, none of you would be here right now!”

Nick is predeceased by his loving wife of 60 years, Mary Aceto Mancini, sisters Patricia Mancini and Lucy Mancini Lobdell, son Rocco Mancini, great-grandson Dominic Mancini, step-grandson Ian Meserve and his beloved dog, Daisy. He is survived by sons Anthony C and wife Jane; Thomas; and Nicholas Jr. and wife Marcia; six grandchildren, Mary Rolfe and husband Chris; Maureen Bidwell; Anthony R Mancini and wife Diana; Nicholas Mancini III and wife Erin; Amy Pearl and husband David; and Mary Mancini. He is also survived by 12 great grand-children and 1 step great-grandson. They are Brandon, Allison & Tyler Rolfe; Eric & Olivia Bidwell; Rocco and Anna Mancini; Nicholas IV, Rocco and Mia Mancini; Sofia & Arabella Solari; and Grant Meserve. Nick leaves behind brothers Joseph, John and Charles, a sister Rosalie Mancini White and their respective families.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday September 11 at 10:00 A.M. at St. Peters Roman Catholic Church in Portland, Maine. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in South Portland, Maine. On-Line condolences can be given to the family at www.jonesrichandhutchins.com.

Donations in memory can be given to the American Cancer Society 1 Bowdoin Mill Island Topsham, Maine 04086 or the Juvenile Diabetes Association 175 Ammon Drive Suite 201 Manchester, NH 03103.

The family of Nicholas Mancini Sr. would like to extend a heartfelt Thank You to the staff at Birchwoods at Canco and the SolAmor Hospice Care who took care of Mr. Mancini with much care and compassion. The family would also like to thank the Barron Center whose staff went above and beyond in caring for Mr. Mancini.