Nick P. Tello was born April 12, 1922 to Florencio Lumbreras Tello and Rosa Perez Tello in San Antonio, Texas. He passed away on January 16, 2021 at the age of 98 in San Antonio.

He was known as an industrious and tireless worker. This hard working ethic began when his mother took him to the owner of a neighborhood grocery store and asked him to teach her son the business but without pay. So at the age of 9 he began working at that grocery store after school. As Nick gained first hand experience working in the store, the owner was impressed with his work ethic. The owner eventually told Nick to take whatever he thought he earned from the cash register, which he modestly did. This is how he started out in the business world.

In January 1943 he was inducted into the US Army Air Forces (AAF). During this time he served in the Philippines and Australia and in January 1946 he was honorably discharged from the service.

On December 29, 1946 he married Laura Fisher. They remained happily married 56 years until she passed away January 2, 2003.

Sometime after his discharge from the military he became the owner of the neighborhood grocery store where he first worked. He also worked at Kelly AFB and later became a real estate agent. At the age of 83 he started another business, a parcel delivery service for medical supplies, from which he finally retired at the age of 88.

During their marriage they were members of many social clubs. They enjoyed traveling and made numerous trips to Las Vegas and California to visit family and friends. After Laura's death, Nick began ushering at San Fernando Cathedral and eventually was Head Usher until his health started to decline. He continued traveling to Las Vegas and California with family and friends and visiting his three remaining siblings until the last one passed away in 2015. Thereafter he continued to fly to Las Vegas and visit his niece Rosie and grand nephew, Daniel until his health issues did not allow him to travel. He still enjoyed music and neighborhood parties at his home where he made many friends.

Uncle Nick was so happy when his friends stopped by for a visit. He also treasured the many times his San Antonio family came to visit with him, as well as the family members that made special trips from California, Colorado, Oklahoma and Virginia to spend time with him. In 2020 when in-person visits at the facility were not allowed due to COVID, he continued to receive phone calls and greeting cards from family and friends that really made his day. We are truly grateful he had such loving friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his wife Laura Fisher Tello, and his ten siblings: Frank Tello, Antonia (Toni) Sifuentez, George Tello, Florencio (Joe) Tello, Fernando Tello, Ernest Tello, Anita Mendez, Rosie Van Horn, Margaret Garcia, Armando Tello and their spouses. He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, grand and great grand nieces and nephews as well as other extended family members.

The family wishes to express their gratitude and deep appreciation to his hospice nurse, Cheryl Pumphery for the excellent and extremely compassionate care she gave him. Other caregivers at his assisted living facility that also provided outstanding care to our uncle are: Sasha, Valerie, Vanna, Gesenia, Anna, Mercedes, Samantha, Kelvin, Ronnie, Roberto, and Caesar. There are others whose names are unknown to the family, but the family is aware they also treated him with the dignity he deserved.

We also appreciate the time, energy and care provided by a handful of both, family and close friends, who he trusted. They tirelessly worked without fanfare and took care of things he could no longer handle himself like he did when he was younger. We are truly grateful to all of these wonderful souls. Also an expression of gratitude goes to neighbor Maria Nino, who without hesitation came to offer care in his home during his early stage of decline.

And last but not least, we would also like to thank and acknowledge Sharon and Ralph Romero family, Brenda and John McCarthy family, and Luis and Diana Aguilar family for all the years they held a special place in his heart.

FUNERAL SERVICE

Visitation will begin on Thursday, January 21, at 5:00 P.M. with a Rosary to be recited at 6:00 P.M. at the Angelus Chapel – chapel capacity 50 persons.

Funeral Mass will be offered on Friday, January 22, at 1:30 P.M. at San Fernando Cathedral – church capacity 50 persons.  Interment will follow in San Fernando Cemetery # 3.