Silviu “Gp” Nanu

On Tuesday, January 22, 2019, Silviu “GP” Nanu, loving husband, father, grandfather, friend, passed away at the age of 77 after valiantly battling Stage IV esophageal cancer for 10 months. As he underwent 20 rounds of chemotherapy, seven radiation treatments, and three hospitalizations, he never lost hope, complained, or ever felt sorry for himself. His effervescent spirit inspired all those who knew him.

Silviu was born in 1941 in Romania.  He married the love of his life Liliana in 1971, and in both his work in Romania and the United States, they worked together, side-by-side.  For 48 years they were joined at the hip, where there was one, there was always the other.  He referred to himself as a “man of science,” a proud civil engineer who left his home country in 1982 for Greece, before immigrating to the United States where he became an American citizen.  He was a doting father to his daughter, Luiza, his son-in-law, Eric, and retired to help raise his grandson Aidan, his pride and joy.  He savored time with his grandson, and dubbed himself GP, short for grandpa, a name created with so much love that he is forever known to everyone as “GP.”

Silviu loved reading, leaving behind an impressive library in print and digital.  There is also a list of 100 of books he planned to purchase and read.  He loved to build things.  A keen observer, he would notice a problem, think of a solution, draw up plans and construct something extraordinary out of spare parts.  He could always be found at his work bench.  His grandson was once asked what would happen if he broke his arm and Aidan said, “GP can fix it!”  An avid fisherman, GP loved to be near a body of water fishing.  He also loved to eat fish of all kinds, with fresh bread, of course.  He would cap off the evening with a glass of three star Metaxa while playing FreeCell on his computer, known as the command center.  He could also be seen sitting in a chair listening to opera, Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro” being a favorite.  Luiza and Eric, both in different places, happened to be listening to it when he passed away. He was known for his positive nature, his abilities as a storyteller, love of children, generosity, and kind spirit.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Sunday 2-5 PM in the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home SOUTH WEYMOUTH at 809 Main Street (Rte 18 opp. So. Shore Hospital), with a prayer session held from 5-6 PM.

Relatives and friends will gather in the funeral home at 11 AM on Tuesday for a funeral service. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery, South Weymouth.

A remembrance gift in memory of GP may be made to  the Mass General Hospital Caring For A Cure,  St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Saint Parascheva Romanian Orthodox Church, 171 Water Street, Wakefield, MA 01880, V. Rev. Fr. Nicolae Simion.