Ronald V. 'Ronnie' Nicotera, a retired letter carrier who spent almost his entire U.S. Postal Service career in Boston, died February 7th at his home in Brighton. He was 75.
Nicotera was the beloved son of the late Renato Nicotera of Florida and Yolanda (Gentile) Macero of Belmont, and stepson of the late Cosmo Macero Sr. of Belmont.
Mr. Nicotera was born October 9, 1947. He attended Belmont Schools and was a graduate of Belmont High School. He attended Suffolk University before enlisting in the United States Air Force. Upon completing active duty, he began work for the U.S. Postal Service in Boston. He worked many years out of the USPS Back Bay station on Saint James Street, and served and represented his fellow carriers with loyalty and distinction as a union official. He was also active in veteran's organizations and took part in Veterans Day parades and other activities.
Among co-workers, family and friends, Mr. Nicotera was known for a great energy and work ethic in how approached his job, and a friendly demeanor that always accompanied him on his downtown and Back Bay residential routes. His helpfulness and good nature as a neighbor was also a feature of Mr. Nicotera's life at home, as he was known to bring packages inside and alert neighbors about deliveries at the building where he lived. He was a resident of the same neighborhood in Brighton for more than 40 years.
Mr. Nicotera also loved socializing with his fellow carriers and other USPS workers: as part of a softball league; at an annual feast the group held at the Kowloon in Saugus; by organizing large office pools for major sporting events; and during periodic Friday after-work meals at the former Crossroads Cafe on Beacon Street. He was also a skilled billiards player and loved attending and handicapping thoroughbred races at Suffolk Downs in East Boston.
In retirement, his love of family and good fun was nurtured by the many large gatherings he attended to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and July 4th - as well as weddings, birthdays and other family milestones. He loved to both sing and dance, and was often the most popular dance partner at family occasions with siblings, cousins, aunts, and others.
Mr. Nicotera was a knowledgeable sports fan and a deeply committed follower of the Boston Red Sox for more than 65 years. He was also a collector and amateur dealer of baseball and other sports memorabilia, and over the course of almost 40 years amassed an exhibit-worthy collection.
One of his retirement pastimes was trying to encourage an interest in memorabilia among local kids and baseball fans in the Allston-Brighton neighborhood. He did this by neatly wrapping small stacks of trading cards and then distributing them strategically in local parks and other high-traffic locations. His goal was for the mystery gifts to be discovered and expand his own love for the hobby to others.
He leaves his two siblings, Lisa Macero-Cedrone of Waltham and Cosmo Macero Jr. of Belmont, and their respective spouses, Dan Cedrone and Keri (Gutz) Macero; his nephews, Cosmo W. Macero and Deacon M. Macero; and many cousins and other relatives.
Those who wish to pay their respects to Ronnie and his family can do so in the Brasco & Sons Memorial Funeral Home, 325 Trapelo Road, BELMONT on Thursday February 16th from 4pm until 8pm. For those who wish to pay their final respects, but are unable to attend, please be sure to sign the guestbook atĀ www.BrascoFuneralhome.com. Visitors are encouraged to use the complimentary valet parking attendants.
Family and friends are welcome to gather and celebrate Ronnie's life and remember the love and friendship he shared with others at a Funeral Service in the Brasco & Sons Memorial Funeral Home on Friday morning February 17th at 10:00 a.m. Burial with United States Air Force Honors will follow at Highland Meadow Cemetery in Belmont.
Donations in his memory may be made to ChildFund International: 1-800-776-6767 or childfund.org