Antonio “Toño” Nieves, age 89, a longtime resident of Framingham, died peacefully surrounded by family at his home on Monday evening, July 16, 2012. He was the beloved husband of Damiana (Rodriguez) Nieves.
Born, raised and educated in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, Toño was a son of the late Emilio and Corpora (Romero) Nieves. He was employed throughout his career as a carpenter and he and Damiana made their home in Rio Grande prior to settling in Framingham in 1984.
Toño was a devoted member and Deacon of the Framingham Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church. He had a wonderful talent for making music and was fond of playing the guitar, accordion and harmonica, among other instruments. Toño was also a prolific poet and gardener. A family loving father and grandfather, he was happiest in the company of his large family.
In addition to Damiana, he is survived by four daughters: Carmen Rosa and husband Isabelo of NC, Eva Rivera and husband Juan, and Elda Sustache and husband Gilberto, all of Framingham, and Elizabeth Castro and husband Melvin of NC; two sons, Antonio Nieves, Jr. and wife Brunilda of Gardner, and Benjamin Nieves and wife Clara of Uxbridge; 19 grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; a great great-grandson; and a large extended family in Puerto Rico.
His funeral will be held at the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street, Natick, on Friday, July 20th at 1:00p.m. with burial to follow at Saint Stephen’s Cemetery, Framingham. Relatives and friends may visit with the family between 11:30a.m. and the start of the service.