WESLEY – Nicholas “Nicola” Metta, 94, passed away Oct. 23, 2009, in Calais. He was born Sept. 20, 1915, in Conosa, Italy, a son of the late Sabino and Carmela (Lenoci) Metta. Nicholas came to the United States in 1929 at the age of 14. He joined the Army Air Corps as an aerial photographer, Feb. 23, 1939. He was stationed in the Philippines when the Japanese invaded and was captured. He survived the Bataan Death March and was a prisoner of war in Japan for three and a half years. Nicholas was honorably discharged in 1946 and was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, American Defense Campaign Medal with Bronze Star, American Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Philippines Defense Ribbon with Bronze Star, Maine State Silver Star and the Purple Heart. He continued to be a photographer at Boston Naval Ship Yard. Nicholas married Lucy Grant, Feb. 28, 1948, and they had five children together. He retired in 1968 and moved the family to Wesley, where he and Lucy bought the motel/restaurant Cloud 9. He was a founding member of Wesley Volunteer Fire Department, serving as a former fire chief. He also was the founding member of Chain Lake Betterment Association and was a former president. Nicholas was predeceased by his wife, Lucy; and his two sisters, Teresa Verderico and Anna Delucia. He is survived by his five children, Butch Metta and his partner, Ruthie Treat, of Wesley, Camille Hawkins and her husband, Ivan, of Wesley, Samuel Metta and his wife, Donna-Jean, of Jacksonville, George Metta and his wife, Patti, of Baileyville and Dianne Carlow and partner, Sebastian Sicari, of Whitman, Mass.; 13 grandchildren, Dawn, David, Jennifer, Andrew, Danielle, Dustin, Christopher, Derek, Natalie, Samantha, Sam, Jordan and Hannah; as well as eight great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Friends and family may call 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, at Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home, 20 Court St., Machias, where a funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26. Interment will be afterward at Hillside Cemetery, Wesley. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wesley Volunteer Fire Department, care of Bill Moody, 4709 Airline Road, Wesley, ME 04686.
NICHOLAS ‘NICOLA’ METTA
