Nicholas T. Puma, 86, Oldest St. Peter Choir Member

Mr. Puma was born in Lorain on May 20, 1920 and had been a life-long resident of the city.

He attended Lorain High School and went on to serve in the United States Army during World War II. He fulfilled duty assignments in the Pacific Theater as a Technical Sergeant and Drill Instructor. He was acknowledged as both a rifle and pistol marksman and was the recipient of the Bronze Star, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was a member of Italian-American Veterans Post # 1 and Louis Paul Proy Chapter # 20 of the Disabled American Veterans both of Lorain.

Upon his return from the military, Mr. Puma joined the United States Steel Corporation where he served as a pit crane operator as well as a diesel and gasoline mechanic. He retired in 1982 following a career that spanned more than forty years with the steel producer.

Nick was a talented and gifted musician and vocalist. He played saxophone and clarinet for a number of bands and combos throughout greater Lorain and had volunteered countless hours singing for residents of area nursing homes. He was a member of the Lorain Salvation Army Kitchen Kuties.

He was a long-time member of the Fourteenth Street Gang, which was instrumental in lobbying for the naming and dedication of the Frank Nardini Gateway overpass along Broadway Avenue in downtown Lorain.

He was an active parishioner of the Catholic Church of Saint Peter in Lorain and at the time of his death was regarded as the oldest living member of the church choir which he had joined at the age of twelve. He was also a member of the Saint Peter Holy Name Society.

Mr. Puma also sang with the choirs at Saint Mary Catholic Church as well as Saint Ladislaus Catholic Church. He was a licensed private pilot who enjoyed flying as well as sailing, fishing, golf, and bowling.

He leaves behind daughters Joan Trifiletti of Lorain and Cynthia Hazzard (Pompei) of Westlake, four grandchildren, three great grandchildren, stepsister Rosemary DiFilippo of Lorain, and stepbrothers Joseph Magazzine of Lorain and Michael Magazzine of Bay Village.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mildred (nee Minor) in 2001, by a granddaughter Laura Pompei in 1970, by his parents Leonard and Sarah Magazzine (nee DiAmbrosio) Puma, by a brother Joseph Puma, and by sisters Gloria Fate and Anne Michelson.

Visitation will be Sunday, April 2, 2006 from 3 to 7 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel – 3224 Broadway Avenue – Lorain. Funeral services will begin Monday with closing prayers at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral chapel and will be followed by the celebration of his funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. in the Catholic Church of Saint Peter – 3501 Oberlin Avenue – Lorain. The Reverend Kenneth Wolnowski, pastor of the parish, will officiate. Entombment will follow in the Resurrection Mausoleum at Calvary Cemetery – Lorain where military honors will be conducted by officers and members of Post # 1 of the Italian-American Veterans.

The family encourages memorials in his name to the CHP Regional Foundation/New Life Hospice, 3700 Kolbe Road, Lorain, Ohio 44053.

To leave online condolences for the family, please visit www.gluvna.net.