MELROSE — Nicholas J. Tierno, 77, a resident of Melrose since 1967 and proprietor of Theater Service Station in Winchester, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, April 16, at Lahey Medical Center.
Mr. Tierno was born in Woburn on July 6, 1937, one of three children of the late Joseph N. and Eleanor L. (Hayward) Tierno. He was raised in Woburn where he graduated from Woburn High School. Nick was a proud U.S. National Guard and Army veteran, serving on a base in Germany. After receiving an honorable discharge, he returned home and began a long working career in automobiles at Lannan Chevrolet. On Valentine’s Day in 1960, he married the love of his life, a Melrose girl, Judith A. Laskey, and soon became a Melrose resident with four children.
In 1963, he became the proud owner/operator of Theater Service Station on Main Street in Winchester, the same gas station he had worked at as a young boy. Nick was a gentleman, endeared himself to many and his gas station became a town gathering place for many Winchester locals and friends. He loved the station, the cars and his employees.
He brought his sons into the business and taught them everything they needed to know about cars. Many of his employees stayed with him for decades and became part of his extended family. A warm, kind and sociable man with a quick wit, he was beloved by all who met him.
Nick was a member of the Woburn Host Lions Club, past president of the Winchester Lions Club and recipient of the Melvin Jones Award. Nick received a 50-year pin for his longtime dedication to the Lions and was a member of the Woburn Elks Lodge #908.
In his free time, Nick loved doing anything with cars. He travelled to NASCAR races with his family, bought and sold antique cars and attended Mecum Car Auctions with his sons. He was also an avid golfer and enjoyed many rounds of golf with his buddies at Woburn, Winchester and Billerica country clubs.
Most of all, Nick was deeply devoted to his wife, children and his grandchildren were his pride and joy. He was happiest when spending time together as a family. Many family weekends were spent at their home on Beaver Lake in Derry, N.H. with Nick relaxing on the boat or cruising the lake on the wave runner he loved. Later in life, he and Judy enjoyed trips to Florida and overnights to Foxwoods so he could try his luck at the roulette table. Nick was an honorable man with a kind soul whose impact will live on in the hearts of those he loved.
Nick was the beloved husband of Judith A. (Laskey) Tierno with whom he shared 55 years of marriage. He was the devoted father of Robin M. Jackson and her husband David of Tewksbury, Michael J. Tierno and his wife Deborah of Woburn, Gerald B. Tierno of Winchester and Jeffrey S. Tierno and his wife Melanie of North Andover. He was the dear brother of Joseph N. Tierno of Anderson, Mo. and Shirley Chester of Melrose. He was the cherished grandfather of Delaney Jackson and Lauren, Cameryn, Morgan, Nicholas and Jeffrey Tierno. He is also survived by adopted daughter Darlene McLaughlin of Londonderry, N.H., his godchildren Mary, Marion and Donna and many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends gathered in honor and remembrance of Nick’s life during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Monday, April 20, from 4 to 8 p.m., and for his funeral service at Trinity Church, 131 West Emerson St., Melrose celebrated on Tuesday at 10 a.m. Interment with U.S. Army honors at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody.
Gifts in Nick’s memory may be made to Relay for Life, c/o “Papa’s Pride Team,” 43 Nagog Park, Ste. 110, Acton MA 01720 or the Mass. Lions Eye Research Fund, PO Box 6050, New Bedford MA 02742.
For online tribute or to share a memory, visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
