A cherished Italian immigrant and security guard at MetroTech, who tragically lost his life after being viciously beaten at a subway station in Brooklyn, was laid to rest on Saturday. The service was filled with both laughter and sorrow at a church located in Bensonhurst.
Approximately 200 loved ones gathered at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church on Bay Ridge Parkway to pay their respects to Nicola Tanzi, who tragically died on October 7 after holding a door open for his attacker, as per police reports.
“I’ve been engulfed in shock and disbelief that he’s no longer with us,” said Christopher Tanzi, addressing the crowd of family and friends gathered to honor his uncle. “A deep sadness and anger has consumed me over the senselessness of it all, that such a travesty could happen to a wonderful man like him.”
“While it’s easy to slip into anger and blame,” the nephew encouraged those present, “today, let’s focus on how my Uncle Nicky lived and the legacy his life presents to us all.”
Tanzi, 64, was reportedly punched twice and knocked down at the Jay Street-MetroTech station by a man identified as David Mazariegos, who is known to have multiple open criminal cases.
According to grim footage of the incident, the 25-year-old allegedly continued to assault the Italian immigrant while he lay on the ground. He has not yet entered a plea regarding the charges.
The funeral service, which saw attendance from Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa, was marked by moments of grief, with many attendees shedding tears while praying and singing hymns, accompanied by a powerful organ.
“My grandparents were often the epitome of an odd couple, bickering in Italian one moment and sharing laughter the next. They were a steady presence throughout my Sundays and holidays as I grew up,” the nephew reflected.
He reminisced about how Tanzi held a deep commitment to his large Italian family, which was his pride and joy.
“He would shift around his work hours just to be there for family events, like my children’s baptisms or communions, and he’d rise early just to find those special chocolate raspberry cookies from the bakery,” the nephew said.
The nephew described Tanzi as “an anachronism” in many respects, noting that he didn’t drive, had no mobile phone, and avoided credit cards.
“In a world that often seems to have moved on, he remained steadfast to his family and cherished traditions,” said Tanzi. “For me, growing up, Uncle Nicky represented Christmas Eve.”
The nephew reminisced about the family’s tradition of making calzones early in the day and indulging in them until noon, before resuming meals later in the afternoon.
He fondly described Tanzi as the “life of the party” and concluded his eulogy with amusing tales of his uncle’s famous “dad jokes.”
“When a massive shared platter intended for ten people arrived at the table, you could bet my uncle would quip, ‘Where’s the food for the rest of us?’” he chuckled.
“And at the end of a long feast, he would always declare, ‘Don’t diet now. Summer is nine months away.’”
The suspect in the fatal assault is currently involved in a taxpayer-funded art diversion program which has allowed him to create graphic depictions of pigs dressed as police officers facing violence.
During Tanzi’s funeral, his family opted to focus on the joyful memories rather than the violence that led to his untimely death.
The nephew urged attendees to offer a prayer for his uncle and to “give a big bear hug to someone you cherish.”
“Indulge in your favorite dishes, and take some time to share laughter and stories about the good memories,” he added. “That’s exactly what my Uncle Nicky would have wanted.”
