Nicola F. Di Salvo

Di SALVO, Nicola “Nick” Frank, age 61, of Centerville, passed away on Thursday, July 11, 2019. Nick was born on December 6, 1957 in Dayton, OH to Rinaldo, Sr and Elena (Berardo) Di Salvo. He graduated from Fairmont West in 1976 and served in the U.S. Marine Corps.


Nick proudly managed and operated Mamma Di Salvo’s Italian Ristorante for 38 years. He was a proud member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church and attended Fairhaven Church. Nick was passionate about his restaurant business and studying the bible. He loved fishing, attending church, and Bill’s donuts. Nick enjoyed sports and was a huge fan of the Bengals, Cubs, and OSU football. Nick loved his boys and family beyond measure. His kind, humble demeanor made him a magnet for people.

Nick is survived by his parents, children, Andrew (Elizabeth), Adam; brothers, Rinaldo, Jr. (Mindy), Roberto (Shari); nephews, Rinaldo III, Vincenzo; nieces, Gina and Abigail; former wife, Debra Robertson.

Family will greet friends 2-6pm on Sunday, July 14 at Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E Stroop Rd, Kettering. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, July 15 at St. Charles Borromeo, 4500 Ackerman Blvd, Kettering. Entombment in David’s Mausoleum.

The family would like to express their deep gratitude to Centerville First Responders and the ER Team at Miami Valley Hospital South. A special thank you to Dr. Clune, her team, and his nurse, Liz for their kindness, compassion, and top notch care of Nick and his family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Nick’s name to Diabetes Assoc. of the Dayton Area, 2555 S. Dixie Dr. Ste 112, Moraine, OH 45409.


Closing paragraph in a letter to my father

I could write for days to you dad, days. I could never stop expressing my love. I’m just sorry I did not always say it in person. I hope this letter finds you in heaven and finds you well. Dear dad, I pray you get to read it dad. No man had more faith in god than you did. No man was more spiritual. No man loved his sons, his family, his friends, and strangers more than you. You leave behind a legacy that will be remembered for generation to generation to generation. You have clearly inspired those still here to treat others with respect, and that money truly does not buy happiness. You were so happy with the life you had and lived it the way you wanted. You deserved it! You deserved to live it your way. Your life and legacy are what made me the man that I am today. The strength I need behind the badge I wear to protect good from evil, has been passed on by you. The strength to care enough to put my life before another’s, comes from you. As I ride to work every night to the dangers that lie ahead, I know you will be there watching over me, and shining through with the courage to help even the most stranger of strangers. I’ll end with a line sent to me by a friend just minutes after you passed away:

“When a great man dies, for years the light he leaves behind him, lies on the paths of men”


Love always,

Your devoted son, Andrew