At 11:48 a.m. Friday, I received the Cape Gazette Breaking News article about the passing of Joan Caggiano.
Shock and dismay don't come close to what I feel.
I've known Joan and her family since they first opened their restaurant in Rehoboth. From the beginning, they were good to everybody, including lifeguards who keep the beach safe and thus protect the basis of Rehoboth's economy - but who are always underpaid, especially so when considering the risks which they face. For folks in school who also have to work other jobs just to pay the summer rent so that they can protect the public, the discounts which Joan and her family have given to lifeguards and other public servants have been extremely thoughtful and kind.
But it goes beyond that. Joan and her family have supported many charitable causes, and their generosity continues to benefit the world.
A number of times when I ate at Nicola's, neither Joan nor her family would accept any money from me or my lifeguard buddies, like Tom Coveleski and Woody Marderwald. So, we would leave a 100 percent tip for the wonderful servers to show our appreciation, saying that "We're all family."
The Caggianos have always worked extremely hard; I don't know if they ever take any vacation. But their business, including their Nic-o-boli, has become legend and attracted people from across the country.
Joan said that Nicola's would never expand to other sites outside of Rehoboth while she was there. That pride and dedication have kept Nicola's quality high and the family spirit strong.
Joan was never into herself; she was always interested in how others were doing. As Nick Jr. said about his mother, "She's an angel. She'll look after all of us." She's been doing that for a long time and will continue to do so.
Dr. Peter (Pete) Hartsock
Captain, U.S. Public Health Service
Lieutenant alumnus, Rehoboth Beach Patrol
U.S. Lifesaving Association
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