John S. Nigrelli

…Retired Automotive Dealership Parts Manager;  71

TEWKSBURY - John S. Nigrelli, age 71, a retired automotive parts manager, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday morning, November 8, at the Academy Manor Nursing Center in Andover after a long period of declining health.  He was the beloved husband of Mollie (Wetzel) Nigrelli, who died in 1997.

John was born in Chelsea on February 13, 1942, one of four children of the late Francesco and Letizia (Lombardi) Nigrelli.  He graduated from Revere High School and Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston. He was raised in Revere but lived in Peabody then moved to the Belvidere section of Lowell.  He retired to Methuen in 2000. He enjoyed summers at Big Island Pond in Derry, N.H. He was an avid car enthusiast and loved the outdoors and racing.

Mr. Nigrelli was the founder and owner of John’s Auto Supplies and later worked for several area automobile dealerships including Porter Chevrolet Honda, Best Buick during his career and retired as the parts manager of O’Keefe Chevrolet in Ipswich. 

He is survived by three daughters, Elizabeth McCaughey and her husband Kevin McCaughey of Tyngsboro, and Louise Sheehan, and her husband Tewksbury Police Chief, Timothy Sheehan of Tewksbury; and Melanie Nigrelli of Tewksbury; two sons, Frank Nigrelli and his spouse Laurie Londerville of Pepperell, and John S. Nigrelli Jr. of Vermont; three beloved grandchildren, Timothy Sheehan Jr., Kayla Sheehan  and Meghan Sheehan, R.N. all of  Tewksbury; two sisters, Marietta Cerrone and her husband John of Chesterfield Missouri, Elvira Kimball of Methuen; a brother, Eugene Nigrelli and his wife Joan of Middleton; and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind a family of dedicated and loving caregivers and fellow residents at Academy Manor where he lived and served as President of the Residents Council.

Visiting hours are Tuesday from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Tewksbury Funeral Home, corner of 1 Dewey and 975 Main Sts. (Rte. 38) TEWKSBURUY CENTER, ph. 978) 851 2950.  A Prayer Service will follow at 6:30 p.m. in the funeral home.  Following cremation, private interment will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Bangor, Maine.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to the John S. Nigrelli Memorial Fund (for caregivers at Academy Manor Nursing Center), c/o TFCU, 752 Main St., Tewksbury, MA 01876, will be appreciated. tewksburyfuneralhome.com