Domenico Panza, Jr.

Domenico (Nico) Panza Jr., 45, of Laurel, Maryland passed away on Tuesday, July 28th, 2020, peacefully and with grace.

He was, and will always be, the beloved son of Domenico and Gloria Panza, born in Silver Spring, Maryland on October 26, 1974. He was a younger sibling to Rocco and Rosana Panza, and older brother to Mike Panza and Sabrina (Panza) Shepherd. He was brother-in-law to Keith Shepherd and Vanessa Chavarria.

He was the grand-child of Maria Bracci (95).

Nico was father and friend to Carina, Stephany, and Aliza Panza, and grandfather to Faith Panza-Tilghman.

He was uncle to Nick and Tyler Nelligar, Rocco and Mía Panza, and Paloma Shepherd.

He was nephew to Angela Panza and Raul Bueno, and cousins with Rick and Leo Diaz, Pam (Diaz) Butler, Ivone Bueno-Diaz and Heber (Ben) Bueno, and Sandra and Carmela Pascale. He had numerous aunts, uncles and cousins in Uruguay, Italy, and within the United States.

Nico’s outgoing and lovable personality earned him nicknames- Nico, Nick, Lips, Papi, Big Papi, Big Nick, and Slick Nick. He grew up in Silver Spring, accumulating memories with friends who had become family. He attended Good Counsel High School, where he enjoyed playing soccer.  

Throughout his life, Nico was passionate about business development, wealth creation and management, and sharing his knowledge with family and friends. He loved politics and constantly challenged people to be open in conversation about all topics, trivial and complex. He was a companion to his father, and followed in the family line, as an entrepreneur for all of his life. Nico was resourceful, smart, friendly, and giving in business and with his family.  In business, personal and familial life, he will be irreplaceable. If you knew him, you’d know, there’s no one like him.

He was dedicated to providing the best life for his family. Even when resources were limited, he provided for his children all they wanted and needed. He is remembered by his loud, intense voice during family and social gatherings. He was unabashedly the largest presence in any room.

Nico was proud of his Italian and Uruguayan heritage, and was an American patriot. In the most recent years, He especially loved visiting family in Italy, spending time getting to know each family member and friend he encountered. Nico loved and embraced different cultures. He appreciated diversity in culture, in way of life, in food, traditions, and was definitively the least judgmental person. He accepted all, even if there was disagreement- One Love.

Ultimately, Nico was taken much sooner than he would have wanted due to his battle with addiction. He was so open with his thoughts and heart, that his family knows that he would want to be remembered not for his self-inflicted pain, but for the actions he did for others. Nico had a heart of gold that shone through to everyone that met him. He gave even when it exhausted him financially and mentally.

A Nico le gustaba vivir su vida con riza y amor. Pero también, le gustaba vivir su vida de su manera.

He was charismatic, gregarious, passionate, and persistent. He had big dreams for himself, his daughters, and his family at large. He will be remembered and honored by continuing on with his planned legacy.

Nico will be missed dearly, but forever remains in our heart and spirit.

Nico was preceded in death by his grandfather, Carmelo Panza, grandmother, Palma (Pascale) Panza, cousins, Gabriella (Acuña) Mata and Valentina Gagliardi. We know that Nico has joined his family alongside the Lord, and will rejoice in his reunion of those he so terribly missed. We dedicate our prayers and send him our eternal love, always pushing hard to achieve the goals he set out to do, in order to give him peace. May he rest forever in peace knowing our love shall never die.

As Nico once said of a someone recently departed: his “soul is at peace [his] spirit lives on”.

Visitation and Mass will be held on Friday, August 7th at St. Andrew Apostle Catholic Church, 11600 Kemp Mill Road, Silver Spring, Maryland 20902: Visitation 10:30 am -12:00 pm; Mass 12:00 pm.  (Mask and social distancing required due to ongoing COVID precautions.)

Due to COVID restrictions, there will be a private entombment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery following Mass.  If you wish to attend the private entombment, please contact Nico’s family so that we remain in compliance while honoring Nico’s memory.

In lieu of flowers, the Panza family asks that donations be made to a drug rehabilitation/treatment program in Nico’s name:
Domenico (Nico) Panza Jr. 
Delmarva Christina Teen Challenge
P.O. Box 1271
Seaford, DE 19973

For those unable to attend the services in person, please join NICO PANZA's MASS Zoom Meeting:
Time: Friday, August 7, 2020; 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US Time) [Note: The Funeral Mass begins at 12:00 Noon]
Join Zoom Meeting - https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83081537854
Meeting ID: 830 8153 7854

One tap mobile
+13017158592,,83081537854# US (Germantown)
+13126266799,,83081537854# US (Chicago)

Dial by your location
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcy5Q5mtrh