Devout Catholic man murdered in senseless act of violence in New York

A Brooklyn Catholic parishioner known for his quiet kindness and deep Catholic faith was beaten to death outside of a subway station last week, according to The Tablet, the newspaper of the Diocese of Brooklyn. 

Police identified the victim as Nicola “Nicky” Tanzi, 64, who was born in Italy and moved to New York decades ago. He worked as a security guard near the MetroTech Center in Brooklyn, New York, and regularly volunteered at his parish, the New York Post reported. 

Tanzi was reportedly found unconscious with severe head and facial injuries outside the Jay Street-MetroTech Station around 3 p.m. Oct. 7. The Post reported that the attacker — later identified as 25-year-old David Mazariegos — allegedly stomped on Tanzi’s head multiple times, fracturing his skull. Police said the assailant told officers he “didn’t like the way” Tanzi looked at him.

The tragic assault began moments after Tanzi held a door open for the suspect, the Tablet reported. Mazariegos has since been charged with two counts of murder, one count of robbery, and one count of grand larceny. According to the Post, he has at least 33 prior arrests.

Tanzi was a parishioner at St. Athanasius-St. Dominic Parish in Bensonhurst, New York, where he served as an usher and attended Mass regularly, according to the Tablet. Friends and clergy described him as a man of quiet virtue who lived his faith in everyday acts of charity.

Deacon Anthony Mammoliti, pastoral associate at St. Dominic, said Tanzi “lived his faith right to the very last moment.”

“He would open the doors for the ladies, and he would say, ‘Buongiorno, come stai?’ He was a little bit to himself, but once he let you in, there was nothing he wouldn’t do for you,” Mammoliti told the Tablet. “Mr. Tanzi lived his faith right to the very last moment. What was his last act on this earth? An act of kindness, a symbol for all of us to emulate.”

Longtime parishioner Caterina Lionetti said she and other parishioners have been praying the Rosary for Tanzi since his death.

“I just saw him this past Sunday. He was all dressed up, and he looked so nice,” she said, according to the Tablet. “I feel so bad. We pray for him, and we say the rosary.”

Deacon John Heyer of Sacred Hearts & St. Stephen Church in Carroll Gardens, New York, where Tanzi also attended Mass, said he was “always a glass-is-half-full kind of person” who cared deeply for others, according to the Post.

“So, I believe he’d help and forgive the person who did this and [would have] gotten them the help that they needed,” Heyer reportedly added.

The Tablet said that Tanzi’s funeral Mass will be held at 9:45 a.m. Oct. 18 at St. Dominic Parish.