Nick A. ‘Coach’ Diego

AUBURN – Nick A. ‘Coach’ Diego, 89, of 85 Thornton Ave., Auburn, formerly of 11 Paul St., passed away Saturday, Feb. 12, 2005, at Auburn Nursing Home. He was born in Auburn, the son of the late James and Lillian Diego and had been a life resident. Nick was a communicant of St. Alphonsus Church for more than 70 years. Prior to his retirement, Nick had owned and operated Diego’s Moving and Storage for more than 60 years. He was a well-known coach, having instructed numerous young adults in baseball and basketball, who especially enjoyed working with the young children in the community. Nick’s coaching career started in 1937, when he became assistant to Pete Vicarelli, who handled the Columbian Squires of St. Alphonsus. Nick’s coaching career would go on to span some 50 years. He was successful in American Legion Baseball, winning the county championship twice and the District 7 title three times. In 1978, Nick received the Msgr. Straub Memorial Trophy as the Sportsman of the Year for his then-40 years of coaching. Nick was inducted into the Softball Hall of Fame and was also honored by the Cayuga County Police Benevolent Association for his “outstanding service to the community.” He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, the former Carmella Calvarese, of Auburn; a daughter, Patricia Farzier of Phoenix, Ariz.; three sons, Nicholas John and Thomas, both of Auburn, and Ronald and his wife, Lori, of Ottawa, Canada; five sisters, Olympia Laurcella, of Rochester, Ann Carbone, of Auburn, Mary Trama and her husband, Joseph, of Auburn, Rose Volpe and her husband, Louis, of California, and Peggy Musico and her husband, John, of California; a brother, John, of California; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents, Nick was predeceased by nine brothers. Friends and relatives are invited to join the family at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Sacred Heart Church for Nick’s Mass of Christian burial with the Rev. Louis Vasile, pastor of St. Alphonsus Church, officiating. Entombment will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Calling hours will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Pettigrass Funeral Home, 196 Genesee St., Auburn. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in honor of Coach Diego to St. Alphonsus Church, c/o CYO, 85 E. Genesee St., Auburn, NY 13021.