Richard “Dick” Ideo Nannini, 84, went home to his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, July 23, 2014. He is back into the arms of Ellie, his beloved wife of 53 years, who no doubt picked him up just inside the pearly gates in a shining new golf cart.
A Reno native, Richard was born at St. Mary’s Hospital on January 4, 1930, to Lidia (Santucci) and Cherubino Nannini. He was the cherished youngest sibling of Ideo, Florindo and Veme (Nannini) Forsythe and loving uncle to Olivia (Forsythe) Swaner of Reno, Patty (Forsythe) Doyle of Fair Oaks and numerous nieces and nephews. Richard lived an idyllic childhood, growing up on Sierra Street and spending his days at the family-owned Plaza Hotel. A gifted athlete and scholar, he graduated from Reno High School and received his Master’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno. Always a car lover, he went on to manage Cal-Vada Auto Co. and was the owner of the Carousel Inn and the Chalet and Heart of Town Motels and several other successful businesses.
He met the love of his life, Eleanor “Ellie” Louise Nannini, when he tossed apples at her from his backyard in downtown Reno. They spent many happy years together raising their four children who attended Our Lady of the Snows Parochial School and Bishop Manogue Catholic High School. He and Ellie formed treasured friendships with many longtime Reno families including the Bertrands, the Cavilias, the Glenns and the O’Garas.
Richard, who handled collections for many years at the 9:30 a.m. Mass at Our Lady of Snows, credited “God in all His glory, with giving me a wonderful life with amazing friends, families and relatives to help and take care of me and to enjoy.” He felt blessed to enjoy his passions—family, friends, food and golf—throughout his life until his very last days. He passed peacefully with his loving family and his devoted caregiver, Susie Taylen, by his side. He was ever grateful to Richard Bryan, M.D., for his excellent care and compassion during the past two decades. The family would also like to thank the many dedicated physicians and nurses at St. Mary’s who provided wonderful care during his hospital stay.
Richard leaves behind his beloved sister, Veme, and his loving children: daughter and son-in-law, Lisa (Nannini) and Mitch Besso; son, Marc Nannini; son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Loni Nannini; and daughter and son-in-law, Therese (Nannini) and John Miccile. Memories of “Pop” will be treasured forever by his eight grandchildren: Cody, Joshua and Zachary Besso; Erica, Elise and Carson Nannini; and Dominic and Nate Miccile.
A Recitation of the Rosary will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30, 2014, at Walton’s Funeral Home, 875 W. Second St., Reno. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 31st, at Our Lady of Snows Catholic Church, 1138 Wright St., Reno. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Richard’s name in honor of Eleanor Nannini to the Parkinson’s Institute at www.thepi.org or in Richard’s name at http://www.thefirstteenorthernnevada.org/club/scripts/public/public.asp
to The First Tee of Northern Nevada.

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