Nicholas J. Cekine, Jr.

May 23, 1933 - March 24, 2023

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 Griffith, Mike Fisher, A.J. Griffith, Danielle Cekine, Kristen Manchin, Douglas Morris, Katrina Ennamorato, Michael Voss, Christopher Morris, Caitlin Voss, Melissa Caddell, Jackie Sheldon, Jeff Sheldon, and Alexandra Smith; and by his great-grandchildren, Sophie Griffith, Kyle Manchin, Ariana Morris, Tyler Manchin, Lillian Caddell, Lucas Morris, and Benjamin Morris.

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.

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.