Nino Rosario Pesce, 90

November 12, 2025

Nino Rosario Pesce, 90, of Lititz, passed away peacefully on November 12, 2025, at his United Zion residence. Born in Philadelphia, PA, he was the son of the late Agostino and Maria (DeStefano) Pesce. He was married 23 years to his beloved wife, Elizabeth M. “Betty” (Knuettel) Pesce.

Nino worked as an ophthalmic assistant for 17 years, a job he enjoyed and took pride in. Even after becoming completely blind later in life, Nino continued helping others by being a motivational speaker at Wills, Jefferson, and University of Penn Hospitals. He performed services for the Fight for Sight Clinic, working with disabled children, and was part of the “No One Dies Alone” program at St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne, PA. Also, as a resident of United Zion Retirement Community he occasionally gave devotional talks. Nino had a gift of touching the lives of everyone he met. Most of all, his wife and family were the center of his world. He was a devout Catholic and former parishioner of Our Lady of Fatima in Bensalem, and current parishioner of St. James Catholic Church, where he faithfully served as a blind Lector for both communities. Nino will be remembered as selfless, inspiring, resilient, and loving.

In addition to his wife, Betty, he is survived by 2 daughters: Tina McCloskey (James) and Anita Butz (Andy); 4 stepchildren: Joseph Fries (Carena), Teresa Wiley (Robert), Christine Basile (Agostino), and Donna Faccenda (Mark); 17 grandchildren: Dominic, Melissa, Nicole, Aaron, Isaac, Jacob, Jared, Joseph, Anna, Lisa, Stephen, Robert, Sarah, Geena, Andrew, Kevin, and Jason; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother Italo Pesce and grandson AJ.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at St. James Catholic Church, 505 Woodcrest Ave, Lititz, PA 17543. The family will receive guests beginning at 10 AM. Interment will follow at St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider Mass cards, or memorial contributions in Nino’s name to St. Francis Inn, 2441 Kensington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125, St. James Catholic Church, address above, or United Zion Retirement Community, 722 Furnace Hills Pike, Lititz, PA 17543.