Nicholas L. DeCola

Nicholas L. DeCola formerly of Stoneham, Massachusetts and Naples, Florida passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on June 10, 2025. He was 92 years old.

Born in Malden, Massachusetts, Nick was the loving son of the late Paul and Marie (Castagno) DeCola. Nick was a warm, kind, and devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend, who will be missed by all who knew him.

He will join his loving wife of 65 years, Anne (Grimaldi) DeCola in heaven. Nick was the devoted father of the late Paul DeCola and his wife Lisa, Patricia Prior and her husband Richard, Pamela Federico and her husband Rick, Peter DeCola and his wife Elise, Paula Donahue and her husband Joseph. He was the cherished grandfather of Alycia DeCola, Michelle Prior-Kelly and her husband Ronan, Melanie Prior, Thomas Prior, Anthony Federico, Nicholas Federico, Paul Federico, Robert Federico and his wife Rachel, Emma DeCola, Sofia DeCola, Victoria Donahue, Isabelle Donahue, and Joseph Donahue. Nick was the brother-in-law to Robert Grimaldi and his wife Martha. He was also the loving uncle and Godfather of Marc Grimaldi, his wife Marisa and their children Christian and Leo.

Nick grew up in Malden, Massachusetts surrounded by his aunts, uncles, and cousins and was known as Sonny to his family. He moved to Peabody with his parents where they had a farm and large garden and shared many happy times together. He has since lived with his wife and family in Lynn, Stoneham, and Middleton, Massachusetts and in Naples, Florida. Wherever Nick lived, he had a wide group of friends and family around and he always made sure there was more than enough laughter, good times, and plenty of food at family BBQ’s around the pool in Stoneham.

In 1951, Nick left his home and family in Peabody to join the U.S. Marine Corps and served his country during the Korean War. Upon completion of his service, he returned to Peabody and worked at a bank for several years until he joined the Massachusetts State Police.

Nick graduated from the Massachusetts State Police Academy in 1959 as a member of the 42nd Recruit Training Troop. He rose through the ranks and was assigned to several locations throughout Massachusetts. He retired in 1981 at the rank of Captain and was the Troop Commander of Troop "D" in Middleborough which oversaw all State Police operations in Southeastern Massachusetts in addition to the Cape and Islands. After retirement from the State Police, he worked for Wang Laboratories, Inc. as the Manager of Investigations from 1981-1995.

He was an active and devoted member of the Former Massachusetts State Troopers Association, The Knights of Columbus, and The American Legion.

Family and friends are cordially invited to gather and share memories with Nick's Family on Monday, June 16th from 4-7pm in the Barile Family Funeral Home, 482 Main Street (RT 28) STONEHAM.  Parking attendants and elevator are available.

Funeral from the Barile Family Funeral Home, 482 Main Street (RT 28) STONEHAM on Tuesday, June 17th at 9am followed by a Funeral Mass Celebrating Nick's Eternal Life in Saint Patrick Church, 71 Central Street Stoneham at 10am.  Interment Lindenwood Cemetery, Stoneham.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations in Nick’s memory to the Massachusetts State Police Museum and Learning Center, 1 Memorial Square, PO Box 335, Whitinsville, MA 01588. (https://www.mspmlc.org/donate)

For more information, www.facebook.com/BarileFamilyFuneralHome