HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 34
[Adopted by the House of Delegates, March 5, 2007]
[By Delegates Caputo, Manchin and Longstreth]
"Memorializing the life and service of Nicola "Nick" Fantasia, former esteemed
Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates from the County of Marion,
Educator, Public Servant and Friend."
Whereas, Nicola "Nick" Fantasia was born January 3, 1923 in Kingmont,
West Virginia, the son of the late Louis and Rose DiGiacomo Fantasia. Nick
Fantasia served faithfully, tirelessly and honorably in this Legislature for
twenty-two years, where he held the position of Vice Chairman of the
Committee on Enrolled Bills during the 72
nd Legislature.
He was elected to the House of Delegates in 1954, 1956, 1964, 1966,
1968, 1970, 1974 and 1988. He was appointed February 26, 1993 to fill a
vacancy in the House, and was re-elected to his last term in 1994. His
Legislative career spanned five decades.
A dedicated patriot, Nick Fantasia served his country as an Army Medic
during World War II.
Married June 18, 1949 to Carmella D. Simmonetti, they were the proud
parents of their children Georgeanna, Rosemary, Nicolena, Gina, Annette and
Nick Louis.
Professionally, Nick Fantasia was an educator and principal for more than
forty years, having been educated in the public schools of Marion County, at
Fairmont State College (AB), and West Virginia University (MA+45). During his
career as an educator, he worked variously at Kingmont, Watson, Barnes and
East Park Elementary Schools in Marion County.
A gruff individual outwardly, he was a kind, soft-hearted gentleman
inwardly. He carried a particular penchant for the less fortunate and worked
through his church, civic and fraternal organizations to help alleviate societal ills.
A Roman Catholic by faith, he held membership in Immaculate Conception
Church and in the Knights of Columbus.
He also held membership in LOOM, BPOE, FOE, the Classroom Teacher's
Association, the American Legion, the VFW, the Holy Name Society, the West
Virginia State Sportscaster's Association and the Christopher Columbus Lodge.
He was also a life member of the National Education Association and formerly
held the position of President of the UMWA Local 4006, and the Elementary
Principal's Association,
The earthly life of Nick Fantasia ended on September 12, 2005 while
preparing for the three thousandth broadcast of the "Italian Hour", a routine he
had followed for the previous fifty-seven years, pursuant to his love and
obsession for Italian traditions and custom, but his life continues through and in
the myriad of people whom he knew and touched; therefore be it
Resolved by the House of Delegates:
That the House of Delegates hereby formally takes note of the life and
service of Nicola "Nick" Fantasia, Educator, Statesman and Public Servant,
expresses regret and heartfelt condolences at his passing and enrolls this
memorial in his honor; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates provide a
certified copy of this Resolution for Mr. Fantasia's wife, Carmella, his four
daughters Georgeanna Atkinson of Parkersburg, Rosemary and Gina Fantasia of
Fairmont and the Honorable Annette Fantasia of Parkersburg, and his son, Nick
Fantasia, former Mayor of Fairmont.
I, GREGORY M. GRAY, Clerk of the House
of Delegates, and as such Clerk, Keeper of
the Rolls of the Legislature of West
Virginia, hereby certify that the foregoing
is a true and correct copy of House
Resolution 34, which was adopted by the
House of Delegates on the 5th day of
March, 2007.
Gregory M. Gray
Clerk of the House of Delegates
March 5, 2007
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