Obituary: Carmelo Joseph Lopiccolo

Carmelo Joseph Lopiccolo of Carson City passed away peacefully on Good Friday, April 6, 2012. Born on October 15, 1925 to Vincent Lopiccolo and Mary Pulizzano Lopiccolo in San Jose California, "Mel" attended San Jose schools until joining the Merchant Marines on February 11, 1943, at the age of 17. He was then drafted into the US Army on April 1, 1944, where he continued to serve our country in Germany as World War II was won. In 1948, he married the love of his life, Florence Joyce "Dolly" Rizio. Mel and Dolly celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on August 22nd of 2011 with their three children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren in attendance.

Mel and Dolly moved from San Jose CA to Carson City NV in 1976, where he started a general and landscape contracting business. As the first chairperson of the Historical Architectural Resource Commission in Carson City, Mel was largely responsible for the preservation of our beautiful Historic District, and he was honored numerous times by the City for his dedication. Many of the historic and newer homes and buildings in Carson contain leaded and stained glass windows and doors crafted by Mel, his artistry and craftsmanship in both woodwork and glasswork is a lasting legacy. Mel and Dolly enjoyed bowling in the Carson City Leagues for many years, as well as spending time with friends and family, gardening and traveling to family events.

Mel was preceded in death by his parents, by his brothers, Russell Lopiccolo and Anthony Lopiccolo; and sister Conchetta Kent. He is survived by his loving wife, Dolly Lopiccolo;, his brother, Ronald Lopiccolo of San Jose, CA and sister Virginia Von Heim of Austin TX; his son Mark Lopiccolo (Jenny) of Carson City; and his daughters Debra Bily-Nevin (Jerry) of Reno and Karen Staffen (Daryl) of Carson City; 9 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Mel will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him, but his family takes great comfort in knowing that he is now resting peacefully in the arms of the angels.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the chapel at St Teresa's Church in Carson City on April 21, 2012 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations to the Prostate Cancer Foundation be made at www.pcf.org.