GRUNNAGLE-AMENT-NELSON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY
(FD304/CR81)
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Sandy Gustafson and Samantha Warner posted a condolence
Thursday, March 30, 2023
Nicholas Victor Ferrero was born on March 24, 1929, in Los Angeles. During the course of his life, he loved and served many people and thus acquired many names to show for it. He was known as “Nick” to his friends, “Nicky” to his relatives, “Dad” to his children, “Mr. Ferrero” to his students, “Nonie” to his grandchildren, and finally “Big Nonie” to his great-grandchildren.
Like most of us, Nick’s life was shaped by experiences he had with friends and family. He was the eldest son of Sicilian-Italian Americans, Victor and Josephine Ferrero, and had two sisters: Mary Jo and Rosie. Josephine said he was born at home with all the women of the family watching, while the men played poker in the other room.
The depression made life difficult for Nick and his family. Nick attended 13 different schools before 6th grade due to his mother’s pickiness about houses. Something as small as ugly wallpaper would cause Josephine to pack up her kids and housewares and move while her husband was a work. She left Victor a note with their new address so he could find them. Thankfully, the moving charade ended when Victor and Josephine bought a one-acre parcel of land in Baldwin Park, California. Since he was no longer moving in the middle of the year, Nick’s school attendance significantly improved.
This move also resulted in lifelong friendships. In the 6th grade, he met his good friends, Ervin Stafford and Victor Rudd. They referred to themselves as the Three Musketeers, attended Boy Scouts, went to junior college, and signed up for the Marine Reserves together. Ervin eventually became family when he married Jean, Betty’s cousin.
Nick met more lifelong friends in high school. Hank Sarrail, Bill Cousins, and Earl Butcher helped Nonie overcome the many years of education lost from constant moving by teaching him study skills to do well in school. Later on in life, Earl and his wife Beverly lived in Anaheim, close to Betty and Nick. They spent many hours playing bridge together.
In August of 1949 Nick’s life changed course after losing a baseball game. Nick and Bill Cousins coached a baseball team and they lost their playoff game. It was the best loss he ever had because he met his beloved wife that night. Because they weren’t celebrating with the team that night, Nick asked Bill if he wanted to go to a party in Pomona. There he saw a pretty girl he had never met, and not being shy went up and introduced himself to Betty Smith. He found out she was from Michigan and had a boyfriend. He decided to do something about that! He caught her attention with his square-dancing skills, a skill he would bring out many times in his life.
Unfortunately, propinquity was not on their side. At the end of the month, he moved up to Washington to attend Washington State College where he was on the wrestling team and Betty stayed in Pomona. They wrote many letters back and forth. When he returned for Christmas, he proposed and Betty said yes.
In February of 1950, he went to Michigan to meet Betty’s family and plan their wedding. Betty’s brother Tony said he was prepared to not like him because he was taking his sister away, but that Nick was too likable for that. One of Betty’s friends wanted to know if Nick was a movie star because he was from California and he was so handsome. Nick’s love of planning and organization manifested during the wedding preparations because he did most of the planning for their wedding. He did everything from picking out the invitations to planning the reception. He also bought Betty’s wedding dress because Josephine told him before he left that he had to buy Betty’s wedding dress because that was a Scillian custom. They were married on February 18, 1950, in Michigan.
Back in California, Josephine was afraid that her only son might decide to live in Michigan so she got him a job interview at a steel factory and sent him a telegram stating that he had a job offer in California and he needed to come back for the interview. She didn’t tell Nick that the job offer wasn’t that good. However, it worked, and he and his new bride headed back to California, but not before promising Betty’s parents that he would bring her back to visit every two years.
After returning to California, Victor and Josephine put on an Italian wedding reception complete with new bridesmaids, groomsmen, and a flower girl. Josephine made the food for the wedding and the family served food, that his mother made, to 500 guests. Following the wedding, they moved into a small house on his parent’s property.
Family was always important to Nick and he labored diligently to build a life for his new family. He worked the swing shift from 3 pm to midnight at the steel factory and went to school at La Verne college in the morning. To add to his already time-demanding schedule, Nick and Betty’s first child, Sandy, was born in May of 1951. Because of his hectic schedule, Nick was rarely home, but he showed his love for his family because he found time to play with Sandy. He went home for lunch and he played with her while Betty got lunch ready. It was obvious that he was frequently gone because when Sandy was about 3 or 4, she wanted to know who that man was that used to come to play with her. Nick and Betty had two more children: Nikki was born in July of 1953 and Terri was born a year and 10 days later. Nick’s busy schedule slowed in 1954 when he graduated from La Verne College and started his career in education as a 6th-grade teacher.
Nick and Betty bought their first house in Anaheim. Because Nick loved to entertain, he put his creative abilities to work by installing a patio, a fire pit, and a shuffleboard court in the backyard of their home. Nick always made sure his kids had everything they needed and did everything he could to make it happen. For example, he would buy second-hand bikes and remake them to look new. He also organized everything. Betty always said that he organized everything except for his wife.
Nick was always concerned with Betty’s well-being and happiness. He always made sure that she had everything she needed. Because he was the sole breadwinner, Nick was concerned that if something should happen to him, Betty and his children would not be able to survive financially. So, when Terry was two, he urged Betty to attend college and get a degree in education. Around this time, Nick and Betty met some more lifelong friends, Gene and Pearl Unhru. Gene and Nick both worked for the Anaheim School District. Like Nick and Betty, Gene and Pearl loved bridge and had kids of similar ages to Sandy, Nikki, and Terri. Most Friday nights were spent playing bridge with them.
Life continued to be busy. In 1959, Nick stepped up from 6th-grade teacher to principal. He spent most of his career with the Anaheim City School District at James Madison Elementary and his last year at Gower. Nick kept his promise and traveled with his family to Michigan to see Betty’s family. He planned in great detail different routes to and from Michigan, which enabled the family to see lots of historical monuments. They also camped, visited family, and attended church regularly.
Nick loved his family and was always taking pictures and videos of them. He even solved some mysteries with the pictures. For example, he caught the dog, Beau, drinking Betty’s sister’s coffee. She always thought there was less coffee in her cup.
In the early 60’s, Nick and Betty bought another house in Anaheim. Again, Nick put in a patio, fire pit, and shuffleboard court. This time, a swimming pool was also installed. During this time, Betty’s niece Marsha came out to live with them and attend college. Just like with his own children, Nick used his creative abilities to make sure Marsha got what she needed. Nick transformed a small workshop into a bedroom for Terry so that Marsha could have her own room. It was complete with a built-in desk, closet, and storage space. Nick was also pretty good at working on cars. He gave Marsha a Renault and kept it in good shape for her, including replacing the clutch when it when out. He also helped Sandy keep her cars in great shape. When she flipped over her Volkswagen Bug, Nick and Terry were able to buff it out so that the damage could not be seen.
In the late 1960’s, Nick and Betty began to feel that Anaheim was getting too congested and decided that it was time to move. Nick got hired by the Hollister School District as a principal at Sunnyslope Elementary in 1970. They bought a house on Oak St. in Hollister, where Nick yet again put in a patio, fire pit, and a shuffleboard court. Nick’s whole family, including his mother, sister Rosie, and sister Mary Jo with her husband and 3 children followed them to Hollister. This led to many, many years of family parties for Nick to photograph and film. Nick and Betty met many new good friends and took up the new pastime of playing Pedro. They also started traveling more without the kids. Nick worked at Sunnyslope for many years where he, unsurprisingly, always got high marks for being a well-organized principal.
The next milestone in Nick’s life came when Terry joined the Marines. Terry got married and Nick and Betty soon had their first grandchild, Jason, and Nick proudly become Nonie. Nick and Betty happily took many trips to Camp Pendleton in southern California to spoil Jason. Many more grandchildren followed. Jessica followed soon after Jason and then Nikki married Dale Morejon. Nikki and Dale had Shawna and Michelle. Sandy married Charley Gustafson and they had Lester, Nick, and me. Betty and Nick were the proud grandparents of seven grandchildren whom they nicknamed the Magnificent Seven.
Nick and Betty spoiled the Magnificent Seven and loved, served, and mentored them. When they were little, Nick built a weird creature that would spit out age-appropriate toys for the kids while they trick or treated on Halloween. Betty would ask questions and Nick would listen for clues to pick out the right toy. Then down the chute, with bells ringing and horns blaring, the toy would go. Nick and Betty taught the kids to play cards, and during family games, Lester remembers Nick slipping him pennies to help keep him in the game. They also took them on many, many trips. He also, looked out for all the grand kid’s well-being. Jessica had a bumper sticker on her car that he didn’t like, and it disappeared. All the grandkids got more expensive gifts one year for Christmas, because he had to buy Nick a toolbox that Nick still keeps in his truck to this day. He and Betty also taught Jason to drive, including on the golf course where you had to have a driver’s license to drive and Jason didn’t have a driver’s license at the time. Nonie was reprimanded by the golf course staff for this stunt. When it was time for Jason to take his driver’s test, Jason failed the test without even leaving the DMV parking lot. After learning about the injustice of Jason’s failure to pass his driver’s test, Nick called the DMV and without raising his voice, got a retest for Jason before the normal allotted time and Jason passed with flying colors.
Beginning in 1983, Nick and Betty used their creativity to do craft shows. Betty painted, sewed, and crocheted. Nick built toys and decorations. The grandkids received many handmade cars, rocking horses, doll cradles and as they grew older, football card plaques, and crocheted dolls. Then, Nick and Betty retired and got serious about traveling. Eventually, they were able to say they had been to all 50 states. The trips always included visiting family and friends across the country.
In the late 1990’s, Nick and Betty were blessed with more grandchildren, great-grandchildren this time. Over the span of over 20 years, they have been blessed with 21 great-grandchildren, and one more coming this summer. Nick and Betty had a great time taking care of Gianna, Peyton, and Little J while their parents, Jason and Jessica, were at work. Nick loved to play with them and even learned how to play with barbies. As always, he used his creative thinking to take care of their needs. He babyproofed the house with big pieces of cardboard to cover anything that was dangerous to Peyton. When she left for the day, the cardboard was put away.
Nick loved to share and shared everything in his life with family and friends, including his birthday with his son-in-law Dale, me, and my son Anders. If you were lucky enough to visit Nick and Betty, you would be taken sightseeing anywhere you wanted to go and even to places you didn’t know about. Nick was a wonderful host. Everyone who visited the Ferrero household remembers the ‘snickie snacks’ that Nick would put out, lots of chocolate and salty treats. There was always ice cream in the freezer too, especially Moose Tracks. Ice cream was Nick’s favorite and if you were a guest, he would give you a big dishful. He loved to offer cold drinks or a hot mocha. And if you had a long drive ahead of you, as you were leaving, he would offer you a pack of gum and a soda to help keep you awake.
Nick loved his wife Betty for almost 73 years, and he loved his family and friends. He loved his church and helping whenever and wherever needed. He never asked anyone to do anything he wouldn’t do himself. He was always the first person to show up and the last person to leave. Anyone who knew him would be able to tell you how generous he was with his time, talent, and money. It would not be surprising if right now there is a Ferrero family poker game going on up in heaven and Nick is there playing and making sure everyone is comfortable, has enough snickie snacks and is slipping pennies to anyone falling behind.
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Betty Ferrero posted a condolence
Thursday, March 2, 2023
After Nick started teaching, he started worrying that if anything happened to him, I would not be able to take care of our 3 children. He asked me to go to college to get a degree, because that would be better than any insurance. Nick said he would help me in any way he could. So, I said I would start taking classes. At the time our children were ages 5, 3, and 2. The only college close to us was Long Beach State College, about a 45-minute drive from Anaheim.
The first semester, I went to classes two nights a week. On the nights I went to class, I would have our supper ready to eat when Nick got home from school at 5:30. We would sit down to eat. In order to get to class before 7:00, I had to leave by 6:00 left Nick and the children still eating. When I got home class, Nick had the food put away, the dishes washed and dried, the kitchen cleaned, the kids bathed and in bed. Then he straightened up the house so that when I got home from class I could rest, and Nick and I could sit and talk together. Nick did all of this every time I had to take night classes.
Nick kept encouraging me to stay in college, and after 7 years I graduated and got my teaching degree. With Nick's help and encouragement, I became a teacher.
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The family of Nicholas Ferrero uploaded a photo
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
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Tom Horn uploaded photo(s)
Friday, January 13, 2023
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Becky & Tim Atkinson posted a condolence
Saturday, January 7, 2023
We remember visiting with Aunt Betty & Uncle Nick. Uncle Nick was so organized that he planned our daily activities just about down to the minute. He wanted us to experience everything California had to offer. We also enjoyed Uncle Nick’s breakfasts of pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream.
We spent evenings playing Canadian Rummy with lots of “Snickey Snacks.”
We will miss you Uncle Nick!
Love,
Becky (Smith) & Tim Atkinson
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Marsha Horak posted a condolence
Saturday, January 7, 2023
I came to live with Uncle Nick and Aunt Betty when I graduated from high school. They helped me go to college in California. For transportation they got me a Renault, which was a small car with a clutch. I didn’t know how to drive a clutch, so Uncle Nick and Uncle Gary had to put in a new one when I burned the first one out. They did a good job of upkeep on that car, because it got me and then my cousin Sandy through 4 years of transportation.
While staying with them, we had many family camping trips. Uncle Nick would put up a tent for the adults to play cards and drink wine in. After a while, gales of laughter would erupt form the tent. Uncle Nick said it was because the wine was ‘Bali-High and Fundie-low.’ On a trip to the high desert there were no restrooms near to where we were camped. So, Uncle Nick fashioned an outhouse out of tarps around the porta-potty for privacy. However, when the wind blew, if you didn’t grab the tarp, there was no privacy. One Thanksgiving we were again camping in the desert. The women had been cooking all morning. About 45 minutes before dinner was done, all of the Uncles and the kids went on a walk. They were told dinner was soon. They said don’t worry, they were just going over to those rocks over there. Well, the round trip took about 2 hours. When they got back so late, Uncle Nick always said that they ‘got hot tongue and cold turkey!’
Uncle Nick was a good host and a great conversationalist. He and Aunt Betty loved to play bridge every weekend with their friends. He was also busy all the time. If he wasn’t working in the yard, he was building something, or grooming the dog, or cleaning.
Uncle Nick was a wonderful example of how to live with integrity , of how to have a great marriage and how to be a man of faith. I thought the world of him.
Marsha Horak
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Ben Warner posted a condolence
Saturday, January 7, 2023
I first met Nick and Betty Ferrero at Lester and Adrienne's wedding. Right from the beginning I felt a connection to them. I am not related to them, except through marriage to Samantha, but right away they treated me like family. I asked Nick if I could call him Nonie and he said sure. It just felt natural to do so. We visited them at their home several times and it was always a good experience. One time when we were leaving, Nonie gave our son a toy wooden car that he had made. He was always very generous like that. Thank you Nonie and Grandma Ferrero.
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Les Pierce posted a condolence
Saturday, January 7, 2023
From making long trips to Soledad to help Aunt Rosie get the yard fixed up before any family party to anything else where somebody needed anything Uncle Nick was always there to help out. He also never missed a birthday celebration for any of us. We will miss you very much.
Les Pierce
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Michelle Morejon uploaded photo(s)
Saturday, January 7, 2023
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Our Nonie was full of stories, purpose, and generosity. Whether it was teaching his grandchildren how to play cards, regaling us with stories of his youth, or volunteering for local Italian organizations, his energy was seemingly limitless. He was an artist and a woodworker. Many of his family members own a rocking horse, crib, or Christmas deer handcrafted by him. He was a public educator and principal who upheld the human right of every child to receive a free and appropriate education. Nonie was hospitable to a fault, and you’d better be careful mentioning you were hungry within his earshot, because before you blinked there would be 3 types of snacks and a RC Cola in front of you. Our Nonie was so many things that a paragraph or two could never do his character or expansive heart justice. We loved him, we miss him, and we will always remember him.
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Lester Gustafson posted a condolence
Saturday, January 7, 2023
Days like these it's hard not to give thanks and reflect on how lucky we are to have the grandparents we grew up with. Thinking about Nonie and all the people he touched. All the love he gave us while defining the finest example of what a man should be. A skill most will never be able to accomplish as well as he did.
Tonight, each in our own way we celebrate his life and accomplishments.
For me when the inevitable becomes real I always think about this quote.
“We're all travelers in this world, from sweet grass to the packing house, birth till death, we travel between the eternities.
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Sandra Ferrero posted a condolence
Saturday, January 7, 2023
I am so sorry to hear of Nick’s passing. He was blessed with a long and active life full of family and friends. It must have been a struggle for him to deal with the frustration of his final illness as such an active man. He will be missed by so very many who were fortunate to have been the recipients of his generosity and hospitality.
I remember when we first thought about moving to Hollister that he and Betty encouraged us to look in the Spring Grove district. It was there that we found our lot and were so grateful to have enjoyed that K-8 school for Ryan. And how many hours of food and laughter we had at the Ferrero place! All of those big birthdays and holidays will stay with me always. I can see Nick standing by the game table in their back room talking and laughing. I think of him when I put up my “Santa is Watching you” decoration every Christmas. And I know I still have the wooden toys he gave to Ryan tucked away along with his other childhood treasures. He will not be forgotten. I fully anticipate sharing more celebrations with him and the rest of the family as we are all called home.
Please know that I am thinking of you all with love,
Leslie Stevens
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MaryBeth Edwards posted a condolence
Saturday, January 7, 2023
Because of his background in upper elementary grades, I didn't think he was prepared for primary grades, specifically Kindergarten, which I taught with Jean Vineyard in Room One. He quickly became accustomed to the Kindergarten teachers and was a fair evaluator. He was a good sport when visiting our room where we had many animals and were often cooking with our students. He was an avid folk dancer and shared that with the fifth and sixth graders at Sunnyslope School where he spent long hours interacting with his students in all grades.
Fondly,
MaryBeth Edwards and Jean Vineyard Sasabuchi
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Samantha Gustafson Warner uploaded photo(s)
Saturday, January 7, 2023
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When a person passes, it is customary to share only good stories about that person, and ignore the bad ones. With Nonie, it doesn’t matter, because there aren’t any bad stories to share. He was a great man, and the life he led was one that I try to emulate.
Nonie was a faithful Italian Catholic. He attended church every week and was an active member of the Italian Catholic Federation. He was Christlike in nature because he loved and served everyone. That may have started with the influence of his Italian family. He once told me that even during the depression, his family would send people home with bags of food. Likewise, Nonie always made sure we had what we needed. When we visited, he always had snacks ready. When we left, he’d offer us a soda or a stick of gum to chew on if we were driving late at night. (His favorite gum was Black Jack licorice.) Furthermore, Nonie and Grandma set up funds for us to use after we graduated high school. We were given complete discretion in how we used it, with no strings attached.
Nonie loved us and spent time with us as children and adults. He and Grandma took us on many outings. They would take us by the relative ages of the grandkids. When I went somewhere with Nonie and Grandma, it was usually with the 3 other younger grandkids. I remember going to the Monterrey Bay Aquarium with them, and camping in their motorhome for several days. It must have been stressful because Nonie took off as fast as he could after he dropped us off at home. I remember watching him put the pedal to the metal with Grandma trying to give my mom food at the same time. We sure had fun with them though!
At one point, I had the opportunity to stay with Grandma and Nonie to help out when Grandma was sick. I don’t think I was much of a help because Nonie was so good at taking care of everyone, but it was fun to hear his stories and play Canadian Rummy with him. I also learned how meticulous he was. I asked him where the dustpan was. In response, he showed me how to pick up the dust pile with two index cards.
Along with spending lots of time with his family, Nonie also took care of his great-grandkids while their mom, Jessica, was at work. He played with Barbies with them and used his creative problem-solving abilities. With a toddler in the house part-time, he put big pieces of cardboard over anything that wasn’t safe for the baby and took them down when she was gone.
Nonie was a type-A personality, and a hard worker. Nonie told me stories that have stuck with me involving his early years building his life with his family. He worked at a steel mill. Everyone told him that that was where all the money was going to be made, but he didn’t believe them. So, he worked there while going to school to become a teacher. He was gone morning and night, but he would go home during lunch and play with his oldest daughter (my mom). He was gone so much that at one point my mom asked Grandma after he stopped working and going to school, “What happened to that nice man who used to play with me?” He told me that at school one time he had fallen asleep in class. He woke up and everyone had purposely left him in the classroom alone. He remembered it as being funny, but I think of those two stories and I realize how hard he worked. He was tired, but still made time for his family. I feel blessed by the hard work that he did. The of hard work he put into building his family, led to a better life for them, which eventually allowed me to follow my dreams.
I loved sharing birthdays with Nonie. Growing up, we didn’t celebrate everyone’s birthday at the big family parties, but Nonie’s was celebrated. Because his birthday was celebrated, so were mine and Uncle Dale’s. In 2020, Anders (my son) joined our March 24th birthday. I am glad we were able to celebrate Nonie’s last birthday with four generations. It was always fun to exchange “Happy Birthday” greetings with Nonie, and I will miss it, but I am grateful for the wonderful memories.
Nonie lived an exemplary life. Even though he has moved on, he lives on through us as we follow his example. He will be with us forever and I am grateful I got to call him my Nonie.
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Mary Castellano posted a condolence
Friday, January 6, 2023
As a teacher under Nick’s leadership as Principal of Sunnyslope School, I was somewhat afraid of his evaluations because he was so professional in imparting his knowledge. Gentle in his delivery, he would let me know what was good about my lesson and what possibly needed improvement. After that first evaluation I was no longer fearing his thoughts.
So For his 50th birthday, I felt the need to honor him with a belly dancer at one of our weekly teacher’s meetings hoping that he would not be offended. I enlisted a friend to help me plan such an event that was to be a surprise. We searched and at last found someone who was teaching a class in belly dancing. We let all the teachers know that we wanted it to be a surprise.
Then came that Tuesday afternoon when he started the meeting by discussing school business. Near the end I stood up and announced that we had a surprise for him. Immediately my friend Edwina opened the door and in came our Dancer with music. She danced around him and Nick smiled from ear to ear. I then knew that he was enjoying this tribute and that he was living in the moment. I knew then that he appreciated this honor and my respect for him grew.
I will miss his friendly nature and true interest in people. -Mary Castellano
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Gianna Pandiscio-Ferrero posted a condolence
Friday, January 6, 2023
As I sit here to think of a memory of my Great Grandfather (Big Nonie or Nonie), it is hard to pick. I have so many of them! I have had almost 21 years of memories with this man. I am extremely grateful to say that he helped raise me. I will share some of my earliest memories that I had with him and then some that I had before his passing.
My earliest memory is how he would play dolls with my sister and I. He would be Ken and sometimes even Barbie but, he would get on the floor with us and play. There was times where we played "Train", where we pretended we were on a train and my sister and I would be the servers taking orders. Then running out our imaginary food and drinks to him. He was always playing with us in the "big room".
Another early memory I have with him, is when I was attending SunnySlope Elementary School. He would come and pick my siblings and I up. Not only that, but he got there about thirty minutes to an hour early to be up front of the line. Wait... it gets better! The car always had snacks for us kids as well as our top Ramon at the perfect temperature waiting for us at home.
I am truly honored to have attended at SunnySlope Elementary School where he once was the principal there. Even had a principal for a period of time, who use to work under my Great Grandfather. Which I found incredibly amazing.
One of my most recent memories of him was when I went to visit him at the rehabilitation center in Gilroy. Due to his Parkinson's disease, he did not know when seeing me who I was. He knew about me so usually when I would tell him something about my life, he would say "Oh I have a granddaughter who's doing that." I would explain to him, that I was that granddaughter. Those intimate moments with him, I do appreciate it even if he didn't remember who I was directly. During these times, we talked about Walt Disney and the times he was a principal. He always knew on how to get either myself or the nurses to laugh.
My Nonie left this world with a huge impact on many people! The one thing, I hear all the time when people talk about him is how he had such a kind loving heart. He most definitely did.
Anyways, he will be missed not forgotten. Heaven is extremely lucky to have him. Our goodbye is not forever. As for what our family says when we say I love you is Ti Amo. So, Ti amo Big Nonie. I hope you are playing Canadian rummy up in heaven right now.
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Deborah Pierce posted a condolence
Friday, January 6, 2023
Uncle Nick was always a kind and thoughtful person. Plus, he always knew how to throw a great Italian party!
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Branden lit a candle
Thursday, January 5, 2023
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Big Nonie was a shining example of a man, he was kind, strong and patient. I remember the time he took me and my brother to see Karate Kid and recalled memories of his boxing career. It was always fascinating to hear about his upbringing. I’m proud to be his grandson and he will always live on in my heart.
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Lacey Ferrero uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, January 5, 2023
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Nonie was truly one of the greatest men I’ve ever known. He was so kind, generous, and welcoming. Christmas time was truly magical at Grandma and Nonie’s. One of my favorite memories with Nonie at Christmas was loading the kids up in the minivan, and he drove us around to see the neighborhood Christmas lights, while he told us interesting facts and history of the surrounding area. I always loved listening to Nonie’s stories, and just being in his presence. He was known to have a little sweet tooth, and if we traveled anywhere with him, he was sure to find the local bakery. A devoted Catholic, when he came to visit from out of town, he would make sure to find the closest local Catholic Church so he wouldn’t miss mass. Like so many of the memories posted here say, he was truly a shining example of a family man, and his philosophy of “family first” wasn’t something he preached, it was what he practiced to the utmost. To say his passing is a great loss is an understatement. His legacy lives on in each of his beautiful children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. I love you Nonie, you will be forever missed, and always in my heart. ~ Lacey Ferrero
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Jaysin Ferrero lit a candle
Thursday, January 5, 2023
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I have so many wonderful memories with Nonie. Nonie would take me to play golf and let me drive the golf cart until we both got caught doing so. Or Nonie pulling grandma out of Lily Pad Lake when she fell out of the boat after catching our limit in less than an hour. Or when I failed my driving test and the Hollister DMV said, "See you in 2 weeks for the retake." When Grandma told him I didn't pass, he asked who gave him the test. Grandma gave him a name, and Nonie politely called the DMV. I have no idea what he said. 3 days later, I had the best driving test ever! I have so many great memories with my grandfather, but the best memory was witnessing him be the most consistent human I've ever met. Never upset, always patient. If I asked Nonie questions, he would guide me honestly. Every visit with Nonie made me a better person, just seeing him conduct himself the way he did. He touched so many lives, and when my cousin Lester asked him at our last family get-together, "Hey Nonie, you were a principal for so long. Would you do it again if you could?" Nonie turned to him and said clear as day.....you bet. That was our Nonie, the greatest mentor anyone could imagine.
(Grandson) Jaysin Ferrero
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Nick Gustafson uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, January 5, 2023
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I would stop by to visit with Grandma and Nonie whenever I was driving through Hollister. Between offering cookies, candy, or cappuccinos Nonie would tell me stories from his younger years. I learned about his football days, his college days and his hotrodder days. Nonie saw a lot and did a lot with his time here, he always had a project on his mind and never wasted time getting it done.
Grandma and Nonie made sure each of their grandkids got a big nice gift to open at their house Christmas Eve. One year, I was about 15 or 16, Grandma didn't have time for all the shopping so Nonie was in charge of presents. When I opened my present I was delighted with a full tool box that I still carry around in all my vehicles to this day. Any time I break down the box comes out, its as if Nonie is helping me get home. Any time I need a tool to help a friend its like Nonie is helping my friend, I've said many times that it is my favorite Christmas present ever. I learned later on that Nonie went over budget on the tool box for me so they had to increase the budget for the rest of their grandkids to be fair.
This picture of Nonie in his hotrod with a boat windshield is my reminder of his history, ingenuity, and creativity.
Nick Gustafson
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Jessica Rianda uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, January 5, 2023
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I had the best Nonie a girl could ever dream of having. He created the most amazing memories for us kids growing up. When you were at Nonie's house, he took care of you! Nonie always whipped out the snacks, Cokes and Capuchino's. Trips to the Beach Boardwalk were some of my favorite summer memories as a kid. Our Ferrero holidays were nothing short of magical. Nonie was skilled craftsman and made so many wonderful things. A few times at Christmas I was given a "Nonie treasure". Nonie made me a homemade doll house and 2 baby cradles. I've since been able to pass them down to my kids. It wasn't just the gift that made them so special. It was the love that was put into them that made them a forever treasure.
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Terry Ferrero posted a condolence
Thursday, January 5, 2023
My dad, as we say was a " good little Italian Catholic boy " (Nick). My father was always about family first, love, generosity and a great mentor. He was always there when I needed him. He will be missed by many. He gave our family and friends holidays I'll never forget. Christmas was his favorite time of year!! Dad always went all out. Lights, tree, decorations inside and out. Gifts for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Let's don't forget how he talked Santa into visiting us on Christmas Eve every year !! These are memories that will always be in my heart and in my soul. God has my father now, he will live an eternal life of love and happiness with God and family in heaven. God must really love me because he gave me the best father he had. I was blessed to have this man (Nick) as my father. Thank you God.
I love and miss you Dad your son Terry
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Lester Gustafson posted a condolence
Thursday, January 5, 2023
It was penny poker I always looked forward to. We played most Thanksgivings and Nonie always made a special place for me to sit next to him at the table. When I ran out of chips, he was quick to lone me a few to keep me in the game.
In Nonie’s youth he was a Boy Scout, played football, wrestled and ran hurtles in Track and Field. I’m not sure how well he competed but I do know how well it shaped his future. One of many examples is when Grandma and Nonie won the longest married couples dance at our wedding by more than two decades longer than second place. I will always be fond of that moment.
Nonie’s kind demeanor, selfless attitude and love for entertaining was enjoyed by all who visited. Whether it was preparing a pancake breakfast, making sure to level the bumper pool table or fill the candy dishes before company arrived. It always made for the warmest invitation and very special memories for his grandkids.
Without a doubt I know where Nonie is now and I can honorably say until we meet again your legacy will always be in our hearts.
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Sandra Ferrero-Gustafson posted a condolence
Thursday, January 5, 2023
My Dad was many things, a proud Italian, an excellent educator, a planner, an organizer, a great friend, but first and foremost a family man. His family was everything to him and he bent over backwards to supply his family with everything needed to make them comfortable, happy and content. One of the things Dad was known for was working with his hands. Over the years he used his skills to make furniture, cabinets and toys. When Nikki, Terry and I were small, Mom and Dad were on a pretty tight budget. Christmas always presented a challenge to come up with the gifts we wanted. But Dad always knew what to do. Our bikes were always bought used and then Dad would work his magic on them. Cleaned up, painted and new handlebar streamers, we always thought they were brand new. One year He made me the fanciest dressing table a young girl could ever have. He made everything from a tetherball pole to a teeter totter and a child sized picnic table. My dad made sure we had everything we wanted. When his sister got married, he made them a bedroom set, with headboard, side tables and a dresser. One year he made my grandparents a set of lamps out of manzanita wood. Whatever we were doing, Dad would add his talents to make the experience better. He even turned his first patio into a wading pool, two bricks high. We loved it.
They broke the mold when they made my Dad, and I am truly thankful I was a member of his family.
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Nikki uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, January 4, 2023
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Dad enjoyed being around family and celebrating all birthdays. When it came to his own, he didn’t mind sharing it with four other members in his family. Dad, son-in-law Dale, granddaughter Samantha, and great-grandson Anders, were all born on March 24th.
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Shawna uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
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One of my most lasting memories is being at Nonie and Grandma's house on Halloween. They would construct a truly creative way to give kids candy that was more than just knocking on the door and saying 'trick-or-treat'. While Grandma would talk to the kids as they walked up, Nonie was behind the scenes, picking out little toys. Grandma would have the kids spin in circles and knock three times, and Nonie would send a toy sliding down the shoot. I remember the line of kids snaking all the way down the street. I still hope to replicate the creativity and joy in my own neighborhood someday.
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Shawna uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
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When I was looking through pictures of Nonie, this one stood out - Nick and his two sisters. These three stuck together: moving together, celebrating together, keeping our family together. I was too young to ever see them as anything other than a generational force and our family's foundation. Whenever I would ask Nonie to share family stories, he would always groan that Mary Jo and Rosie were much better at remembering and retelling. As I mourn his passing, I can't help but think of all three of them.
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Larry Gene Weber lit a candle
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
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My sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Ferrero.
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Jax Pandiscio-Ferrero posted a condolence
Monday, January 2, 2023
Whenever I would go visit Nonie and Grandma, once we’d finished either lunch or dinner, depending on what time I had come over, Nonie would always make sure we had our ice cream. I specifically remember the one he normally had was the extreme chocolate moose tracks.
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Peter C Gomez lit a candle
Friday, December 30, 2022
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To Terry and the rest of the family, my condolences. May Nick rest in peace.
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julie chavez lit a candle
Thursday, December 29, 2022
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I just loved Uncle Nick. He was so great to visit. He and Aunt Betty were always so loving and welcoming to their home and family. I am so glad I had the chance to visit with them and hear all of Uncle Nick's stories. Such great stories of pur family and of growing up. Huge hugs and love sent your way.
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Gail Thomas-Perkins uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, December 29, 2022
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Terry and family. I am do sorry for your loss. May all the wonderful memories of your Father comfort you all during this very heartbreaking and difficult time.
Gail Thomas-Perkins
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thomas w ament posted a condolence
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Dear Bettie and Family,
Nick was the nicest person and had such a big heart for his wife Bettie, children and grandchildren. He and Bettie loved being educators of children. They were devoted to education for all children at any age. This was their life work which they did very well. I had the pleasure of working as a teacher for Nick at Sunnyslope and again at Rancho San Justo. Not only was Nick my principal but also a longtime neighbor. I remember many Christmas parties plus other events at their house. Bettie was always a respected teacher at Spring Grove and Director at the Migrant Camp school. I also had the pleasure of substituting for her. Our sympathy for the loss of Nick as he was a special person.
Fondly,
Tom and Barbara Ament
870 San Benito Street | Hollister, California | 95023
Phone: (831) 637-3757 | Fax: (831) 637-8959 | Email: Grunnagles@gmail.com
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Monday - Friday
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