Nicholas J. Passarella, a retired jeweler and World War II veteran who landed at Normandy on D-Day, died Sept. 28 of congestive heart failure at his daughter's Annapolis home.
The former longtime Rodgers Forge resident, who moved to Annapolis four years ago, was 90.
The son of Italian immigrants, Mr. Passarella was born in Baltimore and reared in Little Italy. He was a Patterson High School graduate.
Before joining the Army in 1943, Mr. Passarella worked in a Baltimore war plant. Trained as a sharpshooter, he served with the 35th Infantry Division in Europe.
He landed at Normandy on D-Day and fought at the historic Battle of the Hedgerows at St. Lo.
Mr. Passarella was wounded in the foot and earned a Purple Heart. He also received the Combat Infantryman's Badge.
Discharged in 1945, Mr. Passarella returned to Baltimore and went to work for Robert's Jewelers, which later became Zales Jewelers.
Mr. Passarella retired in 1969 after being diagnosed with colon cancer, said his daughter, Noreen A. Lynch, a federal administrative judge who lives in Annapolis.
A former longtime resident of the Rodgers Forge Apartments, Mr. Passarella enjoyed the tomato garden he planted on the grounds of the apartment.
"He was also an excellent cook and liked to prepare Italian dishes, and never used any recipes. He wouldn't let my mother do the cooking," said Judge Lynch. "He was known for his clams and linguine and his beautifully seasoned chicken."
He enjoyed vacationing at Wildwood, N.J., and Ocean City. He was a member of the Parkville Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Services will be held at 8:45 a.m. Dec. 20 in the Fort Meyer Chapel at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va.
Also surviving is his wife of 63 years, the former Rita Lynch.