Obituary of Nicholas Pisani

Nicholas Pisani, 76, of Centralia, Washington died August 26, 2018, following a battle with esophageal cancer.  He was born in Los Angeles, California on September 12, 1941, and preceded in death by his parents, Nicholas and Gladys Pisani, and his only sibling, Ralph Pisani.

Nick described his childhood years as a “vagabond” existence, moving to a new house every year and a half, due to his father’s profession in LA, as a recording artist in film and television orchestras.  Despite their nine-year age difference, Nick’s older brother took him “under his wing,” introducing him to fishing, hunting, and the basics of car maintenance.  It was on a weekend trip with his brother that Nick caught his first fish… a six-inch trout!  Nick described Ralph as a “surrogate father,” who taught his little brother the kinds of father-son things that his musician father never did.  Nick graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1960, and went on to attend Valley Junior College.  Photography was to become one of Nick’s greatest passions, both in work and recreation.  Though he worked in sales for several years, these jobs never satisfied Nick’s search for the creative outlet he found in photography.  He was happiest with a camera in his hand!

In 1980, Nick and his daughter, Lynne (the “apple of his eye”), moved to Shelton, Washington.  He met and married Patti, whom he described as “my platinum lady – she more valuable than gold.”  Together they opened Bridalvale, a small wedding chapel in Mud Bay.  There, he was able to truly use his photographic skills in the wedding photos he took on the grounds of Bridalvale.  In 1997, Nick and Patti retired to Oregon, living in the towns of Lebanon, Salem and Albany.  These years were filled with RV trips to take photos; Nick was especially fond of waterfalls and gardens.  The move to Centralia came in 2015, when Nick and Patti decided it was time to live in closer proximity to their children. 

Nick’s love of doughnuts earned him the nickname, “Donut Man,” a title he happily owned!   He was intensely proud of his Italian heritage, evidenced by his love of “Spaghetti and Bread Crumbs” and an Italian Christmas cookie drizzled with honey that he insisted on having every year.  Everyone who knew Nick knew he loved the color red; he was instantly recognizable by his red hat, red shirts, red suspenders and red truck!

Nick is survived by his wife, Patti; his daughter and son-in-law, Lynne and Andy Glenn; grandchildren, Nicole and Tyler Glenn; nephew, Ralph Pisani Jr.; nieces, Lori Mendez and Lynn Howe; and step-children, Sharon Erickson, Mike Marler, Steven Marler, KC Marler and Brian Marler.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 22, 2018, 1:00 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1209 N. Scheuber Road, Centralia, WA 98531.  A private family inurnment will be held at Shelton Memorial Park at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Salvation Army, a charity Nick regularly supported.