Nicholas P. Barelli

Beloved Father and Grandfather, Nicholas "Nick" Paul Barelli, 88, of Rockford, IL passed away Thanksgiving evening, Thursday, November 24, 2022, after a beautiful day surrounded by his loving family. 

Born September 29, 1934 to Peter and Angelina (Arduino) Barelli. Nick was a lifelong resident of Rockford, IL. He graduated from Rockford West High School in the class of 1952. In 1956, he earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Northern Illinois University. He and Virginia Jo DiGiovanni were married on January 28, 1956 and shared four beautiful children together.

He is survived by his sister, Vida (Barelli) Marshall; his children, Dianne Lynn, Peter Charles, David Allen, and John Joseph (Jane [Ryan]); his grandchildren, Austin Barelli, Nicholas J. Barelli, Katherine (Matthew) Brune, Taryn (Alex) Fluehr, Andrew Barelli, Ryan (Nathalie [Rahner]) Barelli, Sean Barelli, Luke Barelli and Anna Barelli.  

Devoted to his faith, Nick was a member and officer of the Senior Holy Name Society of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. Nick took great pride in his marketing and advertising career. He was the owner of NBA Advertising Agency and Executive Vice President of Ad Forces Advertising Agency. During his printing, advertising and marketing career he served as Account Executive for many local and national financial, manufacturing and consumer companies. Accomplished in his passion of writing, Nick was the winner of advertising awards from the National Newspaper Association, Advertising Age magazine, Pioneer Moss Engravers, Johnson Press and the Gilbert Paper Company. After retiring from advertising, he became a freelance humor writer. Over the years he sold over 850 ideas to 41 national and international greeting card publishers. He gained satisfaction in generating creative content up until the last day of his life. 

Much more than his career, Nick was proud to be a grandfather. He loved to boast he was the luckiest Grandpa in the world because all nine of his grandchildren lived in his zip code throughout their entire youth. He enjoyed following their varied endeavors. Among them were theatrical, junior tackle, baseball, wrestling and dance recitals. He was so proud of every one of them, and attended as many of their events as his schedule would allow. He was fortunate to be a part of their adult lives and present throughout many of their special milestones. 

His kind hearted and loving spirit was admired by all who knew him and will be greatly missed. 

Funeral arrangements provided by Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory-Mulford Chapel, 4311 N. Mulford Rd., Loves Park, IL 61111 on Friday December 2, 2022. The visitation will be held at 11:00am followed by a service at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to any of the charities that Nick was a small but dedicated donor to throughout his life would be greatly appreciated: Rockford Rescue Mission, The Salvation Army, Northern Illinois Food Bank and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. 

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