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1 tree(s) planted in memory of Nino Novellino
Laura Koch Zinser
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J.S. Cohen posted a condolence
Saturday, July 2, 2022
Dear Family of Nino, I am so sad to learn of Nino’s passing, albeit a year late. I worked for Nino and Mary in the 1970’s in the Bronx. For three years I had the lucky pleasure of being part of their team. Nino will be remembered as kind and decent human being. A rare person. He was the best boss I ever had! His talent was and stands unmatched. Please be comforted by how fortunate we were to have had Nino in our lives. Sincerely, Janet Cohen
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Paul Knoke lit a candle
Thursday, June 17, 2021
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I was very sorry to hear of Nino's passing, though I can't be sorry to think of him and Mary being reunited. Over the years, I made several trips to Goshen to maintain his harps, and he made every visit more fun than it was work. He would always treat me to a nice lunch out, and we would swap stories from the theatre and opera. (His stories were MUCH better than mine!)
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Tribute Store
Thursday, June 17, 2021
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Gracious Lavender Basket was purchased for the family of Nino Novellino.
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Sent with love and remembrance, Andy and the Congelosi Family
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Susan Allioux posted a condolence
Thursday, June 17, 2021
So passes a great man - a stupendous talent - a lovely gentleman - a gentle man - and treasured friend to those he loved. I had the pleasure meeting Nino only once, when he threw a glorious Birthday party for my dear friend and colleague, Phyllis. I had heard Phyllis' stories of bridge games and great times spent with Nino and was very happy to be able to finally meet him. He welcomed us into his home and invited us to enjoy all of it - wine cellar to attic- at our leisure - He was so gracious! I will never forget him. And, as I live in Goshen, I pass his house many times each week in my comings and goings - it will always be "Nino's house". Reunited with your beloved Mary, may you Rest In Peace, gentle man.
Susan and JeanClaude Allioux
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Sandra Terry posted a condolence
Thursday, June 17, 2021
My deepest condolences to Nino’s family. I only met Nino once, at a Christmas party at my friend Tom’s house, but I had heard about him for years from Tom. I found him to be a very interesting, smart, handsome and funny guy. I wish I could have gotten to know him better. May he Rest In Peace
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carrie robbins posted a condolence
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
For NINO NOVELLINO, who had to be Italian…who else could sculpt as he could?
Nino made the most beautiful coffin I ever saw on the stage.
With the most exquisite pink satin lining, tufted and padded.
It appeared at the top of the show, when Evita was making her “final” exit.
I admired his work with the satin, and mentioned that I hoped the balcony folks who sat close would appreciate it.
He said something like: “well, a very important person will be putting her head there, so it really doesn’t matter beyond that.”
I loved that about Nino. He followed my personal theory of design work (and life): “Throw nothing away.” In other words, i
f you’ve taken the time to write an old-fashioned letter to someone, put it in a proper envelop. Address it nicely.
(I like a simple Italic in a nice color of chisel-tipped marker.) And for heaven’s sake, find a decent colored stamp
which matches your ink. We are talking about opportunity here.
As far as I can tell, Nino never let an opportunity slide by. He worked at maximum strength and skill always,
at least that was my limited observation. Then there came a time when I had the opportunity to bring a project to Nino.
Doug and I were designing an ill-fated piece for Broadway called “Frankenstein”. I got to draw another lady who was to to have come from a coffin. She was to be the bride Dr. Frankenstein had made to keep his famous Monster company.
I then had to explain to Nino that this was almost the opposite of what he’d done for Evita. It had to be… (Believe me, this wasn’t easy to tell him.) somewhat ugly...patched together out of mismatched bones and ligaments as it had to be. Instead of the stomach section, it was to have a hollow cavity in which Props was to put a container of stage blood. I forget now what the reason was for that, but Nino started in willingly.
As I recall, he cast a lovely lady, but left the eyes out, no doubt planning to purchase some of those Austrian crystal eyes you can buy at the old Doll Hospital on Lexington (2nd floor). About then I believe I got the call from the GM. They had cancelled the trick, whatever it was, so we could stop working on “the bride”.
“Do we get a reduced rate? “ the GM asked me. That kind of question was something Nino’d hate!!
The last time we talked, I had written a play called “The Dragon Griswynd”. It took place on a burned-out Earth,
where articles of our planet’s once magnificent heritage were strewn round. Griswynd, “once both Scourge and Protector
of Mankind, horrifying in his splendor, amazing to behold,” sat alone in a modest crater, his fire-breathing capacity reduced
to barely a puff. He was the last of his kind. But he loved admiring his collection of glittering souvenirs, artifacts from the ancient days. Armour the Emperor Maximillian would be proud of!
A sword with a sensational jeweled hilt. (The actor playing Griswynd said: “Heavy!” I said: “But worth it don’t ya’ think?”.
He agreed of course and asked for a picture of himself thrusting it.)
Nino had, of course, picked out a selection of the dragon’s favorite things
and sent them all down to the theatre. He charged not a penny.
Generous to a fault.
BTW, this small show was chosen by Crystal Field for her “Dream Up” Festival at Theater for the New City;
it was nominated for “Outstanding Original Short Script” by NEW YORK INNOVATIVE THEATRE AWARDS.
And I am, to this day, certain it was Nino’s collection of extraordinary talismans that brought me my 1st individual writing
Award.
The look of them. The history of them. The artistry of each. The authority of the hand that made them could NOT be
denied.
And I never bought you the celebratory lunch I promised you Nino. I owe you big time. cr
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Laura Koch Zinser purchased flowers
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
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Nino, always there for me, continually mentoring and encouraging since 1974. I did not say thank you enough. Farewell.
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Douglas Schmidt uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
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I sit writing this beneath a poster for Nino’s monumental and extravagant 1991 exhibition, “Sculpture for the Theatre” at West Point. The poster shows Nino posing with a beautiful rendition of the Martyrdom of St. Sebastian he made for a show of mine, “Nick and Nora”. I have seen this image every working day for the last 30 years and every time I marvel at the virtuosity and the dramatic imagination he brought to all his work. I am proud beyond words that the organizers of his memorial chose this image for the Funeral Home announcement on their website.
Beyond the demonstration of his prodigious skill, his innate baroque sensibility and affinity especially for spiritual subject matter, what I am always taken by in this picture is his own pose and characteristic impish smile revealing a sense of humor and irreverence I came to love. Though my life evolved away from the east coast I always tried to visit whenever work brought me back to New York. One such opportunity came in the summer of 2015 when in town for the build of a tour of The Sound of Music. I dropped by for a big hello and we ended up spending 4 hours over lunch (and then high tea) at his favorite charming restaurant in nearby Cornwall. We hashed old war stories, the shortcomings of the talent-free, and reminiscences of “the good old days”. We laughed and cried and spent a wonderful afternoon together and though I continued to send projects his way, it was the last time we really let our hair down. Well, HE let his hair down, mine had long since departed. His laughter and merry sarcasm still reverberates to this day.
It makes me happy to think of our own Bernini, reunited with his lovely wife Mary, continuing to sculpt those magnificent saints and sinners in the clouds.
Amatus, non morietur
-Douglas Schmidt
Attached is a picture of a sculpture Nino made for my house in Stinson Beach California. Like all his work, noble and highly theatrical.
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Grace Hart, Enzo Citarelli posted a condolence
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of lovable Nino and are sending our sincere condolences to
Rosie, Tina and Bill.
Nino will be remembered as a most gifted, sensitive, kind, charming and generous man to all, a Beautiful Soul.
Every December his fabulous Christmas Card was the first to arrive and was the Clarion Call for the Noel festivities to commence. Even from afar his positive, fun loving enthusiasm filled our hearts with joy and anticipation of the season. We will miss and remember him with nostalgia, recalling lovely times spent together and especially as Christmas approaches every year.
We are sending our farewell to one of the last Noble Gentleman with the words he never failed to write in his card...
(Our) Love to you Always Nino. Grace and Enzo
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Carrie Robbins & Douglas Schmidt purchased flowers
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
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Carrie Robbins & Douglas Schmidt
purchased the Ever Upward Bouquet for the family of Nino Novellino.
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Thank you Nino for all the love you gave to your art, your forbearance of our impractical whims and the time you spent making it always so beautiful.
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Tribute Store
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
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My Fair Lady was purchased for the family of Nino Novellino.
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In fond memory of the many years as friends and colleagues
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Tribute Store
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
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Lily and Rose Tribute Spray was purchased for the family of Nino Novellino.
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With loving memories of Nino... Ron & Christa and the folks at Hudson Opera Theatre
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Tribute Store
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
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Sentiments of Serenity Spray was purchased and a memorial tree was planted for the family of Nino Novellino.
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May your heart and soul find peace and comfort. With Deepest Sympathy,
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Bill Mensching Sr and Showmotion purchased flowers
Wednesday, June 16, 2021
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Bill Mensching Sr and Showmotion
purchased the Tender Tribute for the family of Nino Novellino.
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With loving memories of Nino Novellino
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M
Marcus Stacchini posted a condolence
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
Nino: a truly generous man who cared much for the people he knew and those who worked for him. He will always be held in the highest regards and be remembered for his kindness, artistic skill and good sense of humor. He will greatly be missed. My condolences to his family.
Marcus Stacchini
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Victor Amerling planted a tree in memory of Nino Novellino
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
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A master. A mentor. A friend. Nino and Mary were two of the best people I have ever known. Together again. Forever in our hearts. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Frank Judy purchased flowers
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
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Frank Judy
purchased the A Full Life and planted a memorial tree for the family of Nino Novellino.
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Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead, and loving memories of Nino to forever hold in your hearts.
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The family of Nino Novellino uploaded a photo
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
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Phyllis, Karin, Stephen, and families purchased flowers
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
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Phyllis, Karin, Stephen, and families
purchased the Magnificent Life Spray for the family of Nino Novellino.
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Dearest Nino, You have been such an important presence in our lives. We will miss you.With great love and affection,
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Joe and Betsy purchased flowers
Monday, June 14, 2021
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Joe and Betsy
purchased the Peaceful White Lilies Basket for the family of Nino Novellino.
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We are thinking of you
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All our love, Elouise & CJ purchased flowers
Monday, June 14, 2021
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All our love, Elouise & CJ
purchased the Rose Romanesque Bouquet and planted a memorial tree for the family of Nino Novellino.
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Nino darling, we shall miss you more than you shall ever know. And we hope the Angels are up to your standards.
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