Nicholas A. Arrigo

Nicholas A. Arrigo, 89, of Quakertown, formerly of Nockamixon Township, died on Wednesday, April 22, at home. He was the husband of Edith (Dabner) Arrigo, who died in 2003, and was the father of three daughters. Nicholas was a World War II hero and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the Combat Infantry Badge. In 1943, he volunteered to be a paratrooper during World War II and joined the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the famed 82nd Airborne Division, known as the All American Division. He fought in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland, and Germany. He was wounded in Germany, for which he received the Purple Heart. He made a full recovery and went back to his outfit. In 1946, he marched with the 82nd Airborne in the victory parade down Fifth Avenue in New York City. Born April 19, 1920 in Philadelphia, Nicholas was the son of Santo "Sam" Arrigo and Angela Rose (Tursi) Arrigo. His father was originally from Sicily, Italy. Nicholas met his wife while he was stationed in England during the war. They married in 1947 and settled in Nockamixon Township, where they raised their family in a house that Nicholas designed and built. He and his wife also owned and managed the former Haycock Fountain & Grill, a popular family restaurant on Route 412 in Nockamixon in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Nicholas designed and built this restaurant as well as a house for his parents, also in Nockamixon. For more than 25 years, Nicholas was a police officer in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, working for the Delaware River Joint Bridge Commission. Nicholas was a member of St. Isidore's Catholic Church in Quakertown, where he and his wife moved in 1979. He was an avid pool player and participated in many local pool groups and tournaments. He was also an enthusiastic gardener and classical musician. He was a member of the local Moose, the local Legion, local senior citizens club, the Disabled American Veterans, and the Pennsylvania Association of Retired State Employees. While living in Nockamixon Township, he was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. Nicholas is survived by daughter Annie June Jacobs and her husband Tom of Faber, VA; daughter Nicolette Rose Arrigo and her husband Jerry Washcalus of Richland Township; daughter Lisa Louise Arrigo-Young and her husband Stephen Young of Milford Township; three grandsons, Joshua, Benjamin, and David Jacobs; a brother Sam of Colorado; and many nieces and nephews. He was also the brother of two sisters, the late Marie Ferris and the late Grace Martin. A Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 27, at St. Isidore's Church, 2545 West Pumping Station Rd., Quakertown, where friends may call from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the church. Arrangements by C.R. Strunk Funeral Home Inc., (www.crstrunk.com) Quakertown. Service Information A service summary is not available