'Our shining light has gone out' - Sadness in Laois at death of Portlaoise restaurateur from Italy

Tributes have poured in following the sad and unexpected passing of Giovanni (Nino) Ciamberlano, owner of the popular Nino's Fish & Chips on Main Street in Portlaoise as funeral details have been confirmed for the Italian.

Nino, as he was lovingly known to family, friends, and customers, passed away on Tuesday, January 28, after an illness bravely borne at Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise.

Born in Colle San Magno, Frosinone, Italy, Nino moved to Ireland in the late sixties and worked in Dublin for the Macari family.

He and his wife Stella went on to open their own shop in Meath by the mid '70s before relocating to Mountmellick, opening Nino's Fish & Chips in 1982.

Nino retired in 2004, leasing his popular premises to Francesco and Gabriella Caperna, relatives of Dino Forte, owner of the popular Golden Grill located on lower Main Street in Portlaoise.

He is predeceased by his Mother Civita, and father Magno.

Nino will be forever loved and sadly missed by his heartbroken wife Stella, daughters Rosaria, Claudia, Silvia, and Cristina, his nephews Pepe and Rosario, his siblings Maria, Pompea, Adele, Rocco, and Antonio. Sons in law Antonio and Christy, partners James and Yvonne. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Cherished by his grandchildren Fabio, Luca, Aoibhinn, Áine, Ruairí, Lana, and Daragh, sisters in law, brothers in law, nieces, nephews, neighbours, and friends.

Heartfelt condolences have been left on RIP.ie from those who knew and fondly remembered Nino, with one mourner writing,

"Stella so sorry to you and your girls on the passing of a true gentleman Nino a good friend since coming to town he will be missed. May heaven be his bed. RIP Giovanni."

Another wrote,

"Sincere sympathy to Stella Rosaria, Claudia, Silvia and Cristina and family on the sad passing of Nino r.i.p. I have very fond memories of Nino and Stella as neighbours on main street back in the day. Nino always had a smile and loved a chat when we would meet, may Nino's gentle soul rest in peace."

While another wrote,

"Stella, Rosaria, Claudia, Silvia, Cristina, please accept our sincere condolences on the passing of your husband and father, Nino. Nino was definitely one of a kind. I remember you in Mountmellick and of course then all the years in Portlaoise. Whenever I met Nino he was always so happy to update me on how you were all doing. Be assured he was a great family man. Rest in eternal peace Nino."

Remains repose on Sunday, February 2 in Keegan's Funeral Home, 1 Dublin Road, Portlaoise, R32W10E from 3pm with Rosary at 5pm.

Removal Monday to SS Peter & Pauls Church, Portlaoise for Mass at 11am. (Funeral Home private on Monday morning). Family flowers only, donations in lieu to Friends of Portlaoise Hospital https://www.idonate.ie/cause/FriendsofPortlaoiseHospital or Friends of Tullamore Hospital https://www.idonate.ie/cause/FriendsofTheMidlandRegionalHospitalTullamore

You can watch the webstream of the funeral https://www.portlaoiseparish.ie/webcam/

Cremation service later.