Fernando A. Nanni, 71, of Worcester a kind, gentle, loving husband, father, nonno, and friend passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by the family he cherished, Saturday, October 9, 2021, after a valiant battle with Cancer.

Born and raised in Castrovalva, province of L’Aquila Italy, he was the son of Camillo and Chiara (Mastrodomenico) Nanni. He immigrated to the United States in 1968, settling on Belmont Hill. Soon after he met and married the “Love of his Life” Silvana Palumbo. They spent the next 42 years, raising their family with Love, faith, and dedication. Fernando worked to provide for his family, by co-owning Villa Construction Company, working for a time at Jamesbury Corporation, before finding his true love of teaching languages, in the Worcester Public Schools at Burncoat Jr-Sr High for over 25 years before retiring. He also taught Italian in Night Life Classes and at Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church. Educated in Italy, he earned his teaching bachelors and master’s degrees from Worcester State College.

Fernando is survived by his wife Silvana; the three children he cherished and was so proud of, Roberto C. Nanni and his wife Dawn of Sutton, Daniele Nanni and his wife Susanna of Shrewsbury, Diana Christensen and her husband Mark of Uxbridge; a brother, Franco Nanni and his wife Guilia in Rome; four granddaughters, the apples of his eye, Chiara, Siena, Aviana, Karlie and one that will soon arrive; four brothers in law and five sisters in law; Many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends both here and in Italy.

Fernando was a member of Our Lady of Mt Carmel/Loreto Church, the Worcester Lodge 168, Sons of Italy, and its Bocce League, notably a member of the 2016, bocce league champion team Limoncello. Fernando was a beautiful person who enjoyed the simple pleasures of life; spending time with family and friends, family dinners, playing the piano and accordion, studying languages, Summers in Maine, the travel to Italy and wintering in Florida. He truly believed that faith, family, and friends were the most important parts of life and had room in his heart for everyone. He was extremely generous with his love, time, and resources, and helped anyone he could. His unwavering faith and will to keep going kept him grounded and helped him through all life’s challenges. His passing leaves a hole in our hearts, but his loving and caring soul will not be forgotten.

Friends and relatives are invited to calling hours, Wednesday, October 13, from 4 pm to 7 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. His funeral will be held Thursday, October 14th from the funeral home with a procession to Our Lady of Loreto Church, 37 Massasoit Rd where his celebration of Christian burial Mass will be held at 10:00 am. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park in Paxton. In lieu of flowers memorial remembrances in his name can be made to the Dana- Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston Ma.