Antonio "Nino" 'Nino' Pupatti

Obituary Captain Nino G. Pupatti, known by many as Papa Nino or "The Old Italian from Marshallberg" died of natural causes, in his sleep, Wednesday evening March 16th. He was 91. He was a well loved resident of Crystal Bluffs for the past year. He is predeceased by his wife, Yvonne L. Pupatti, survived by a son Marino Pupatti, a daughter Pia T. Ross & a grandson Nicholas Z. Ross. Born in Camogli Italy on December 19th, 1924 he was a most amazing man. He travelled all over the world, captained ships in the Indian Ocean, spent time in Japan, as well as Beirut, calling it the Paris of the east. He travelled to every continent with the exception of the Antarctica. He lived in New York, and worked at Castle & Cooke for 20 years, managing the Dole shipping at the docks. At about the age of 60, he decided it would be good to get a pilots license. Which of course he did, then went on to take acrobatic flying lessons and have his own plane. In the mid 1980s he retired with his wife to Marshallberg NC. Together they made a beautiful home in this seaside community. He was known for his wonderful vegetable gardens as well as his amazing cooking skills, his wife for her flower gardens. He would often say to me "your mother takes care of the soul and I take care of the stomach". With his heavy accent, he became quickly known & loved by many. Very often local fishermen would knock at his door to bring him oysters, clams, crabs or fish. He always invited them in for a drink. Everyone was always welcome. It was always funny to hear the conversations they would have; his heavy Italian accent and the fishermans down eastern accent. His home was never empty, his life was never dull. He was always the happiest when his dinner table was full of guests, as he regaled them with his amazing life stories. Papa Nino would often say to his daughter Pia "sweetheart, always do in life that which you enjoy" One day he learned about windsurfing. That looked good to him, so in his late 60s he became an avid windsurfer. Surfing in and around Marshallberg Harbor even in the winter! He made it a point to enjoy life to its fullest, and taught others to do the same. About 15 or so years ago when his wife was still with him, he somehow found out that there were young Italian pilots training at Cherry Point. Well he naturally found his way to meet them, and again he made new friends, inviting them every Sunday for dinner as well as Holidays. The mother of one of the pilots sent him a letter, thanking Nino and Yvonne for being so kind to her son while he was in America. He was invited to go up in one of those jets the men were training in, another of his dreams come true.. By the way he of course got to go up in one of those jets the men were training in, another of his dreams coming true. Another big part of his life was his art. His beautiful paintings hang all over his home. Even the kitchen cabinets are painted! In the winter when he was not able to work in his garden he turned to his painting. One of Ninos mantras was "you must always keep your mind and body active". He painted his life, from Camogli, Italy to Marshallberg NC. His paintings are hanging in many local homes. He loved to give them away as gifts to his friends. He is a man who lived many lifetimes in one; he will be missed by all. Thanks to all of you who contributed to the richness of his life. A very special thank you to all the staff at Crystal Bluffs, where he resided this past year. Their loving care and emotional support is so very much appreciated. There will be a memorial service -- or rather a Celebration of his life in June, 2016 at his home in Marshallberg. A notice will be in the paper. If anyone wishes for details, please send an email to pia.ross@yahoo.com. &nbspBorn: December 19, 1924&nbspPlace of Birth: Italy&nbspDeath: March 16, 2016&nbspPlace of Death: Morehead City, NC Share your thoughts and memories in the guestbook. Services You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Antonio "Nino" 'Nino' Pupatti