NICHOLAS J. DEBLIS

IN MEMORIAM October 20, 2012
NICHOLAS J. DEBLIS
DeBlis, Nicholas James, long time resident of Big Canyon in Newport Beach, passed away at his home in Coto de Caza on October 18, 2012. He was born in Millburn, NJ, on May 9, 1927, the son of Italian immigrants and one of 12 children. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17 and saw action during WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, retiring as a Major after 22 years of service. In Copenhagen in addition to his official duties he served as escort to Ambassador Eugenie Anderson, the first woman appointed chief of mission at the ambassador level in U.S. history. He served at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, and observed a nuclear test while in the Corps. Working in communications in 1951 he sent President Truman’s instructions relieving General Douglas MacArthur of command of U.S. forces in Korea, culminating one of the most famous civilian-military conflicts of all time.
He earned his BS in economics from the University of Hawaii while in the Marines, and later began a second career. He joined the investment firm of Shearson in Rancho Santa Fe, CA, hired by retired Rear Admiral John (Jack) Elwood Lee who was branch manager. He began as an investment advisor and quickly rose to Vice President. He retired from what was then Smith Barney in July 2005 after 37 years in the firms employ. He was a devoted husband and father, an avid golfer who had a Hole In One eight times, twice during tournaments at the Sahara in Las Vegas and at Lomas Santa Fe, and a culinary artist who was fully engaged in life.
Nick is survived by his wife, JoAnne, three children, Carolyn Coe of Las Vegas, Christian DeBlis and Damian DeBlis of Aliso Viejo, a granddaughter and great-grandson, and siblings Ronald T. DeBlis, Mary Trincanello, and Delores Faccenda all of New Jersey
Services will be held Saturday October 27 at 10:00AM at San Francisco Solano Catholic Church in Rancho Santa Margarita followed by a reception at the families home in Coto de Caza. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society.