Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Subscriber Login
My Profile
SpotlightNews
  • Home
  • News
    • Election 2022
    • Business
      • Spotlight On Business
      • Spotlight on Finance
    • Crime and Police
    • Discover-Towns
      • Discover Coeymans Selkirk and Feura Bush
      • Discover Delmar
      • Discover Glenmont
      • Discover Guilderland
      • Discover Latham and Boght
      • Discover Loudonville
      • Discover Menands
      • Discover Slingerlands
      • Discover Village of Colonie
      • Discover Voorheesville and New Scotland
    • Fire Departments
    • Government
    • Milestones
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Obituaries
  • The Spot 518
    • Galleries
    • Art
    • Food and Recipes
    • Health & Fitness
    • Music
    • Theatre
  • Hot Spots Calendar
    • Calendar Listings
    • Submit Your Event
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Our Opinion
    • Point of View
    • Your Opinion
  • Family Now
    • Parenting News
    • Senior News
  • Towns
    • Albany County
    • Bethlehem
    • Colonie
    • Guilderland
    • New Scotland
  • Classifieds
    • Employment – Hire Power
    • Services In the Spotlight
    • Classified Listings
    • Advertiser Login
  • Subscribe
    • Subscriber login
    • Give the gift of news
    • Join us – subscribe today
    • Newsletter sign up
    • Renew Subscription
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Election 2022
    • Business
      • Spotlight On Business
      • Spotlight on Finance
    • Crime and Police
    • Discover-Towns
      • Discover Coeymans Selkirk and Feura Bush
      • Discover Delmar
      • Discover Glenmont
      • Discover Guilderland
      • Discover Latham and Boght
      • Discover Loudonville
      • Discover Menands
      • Discover Slingerlands
      • Discover Village of Colonie
      • Discover Voorheesville and New Scotland
    • Fire Departments
    • Government
    • Milestones
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Obituaries
  • The Spot 518
    • Galleries
    • Art
    • Food and Recipes
    • Health & Fitness
    • Music
    • Theatre
  • Hot Spots Calendar
    • Calendar Listings
    • Submit Your Event
  • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Our Opinion
    • Point of View
    • Your Opinion
  • Family Now
    • Parenting News
    • Senior News
  • Towns
    • Albany County
    • Bethlehem
    • Colonie
    • Guilderland
    • New Scotland
  • Classifieds
    • Employment – Hire Power
    • Services In the Spotlight
    • Classified Listings
    • Advertiser Login
  • Subscribe
    • Subscriber login
    • Give the gift of news
    • Join us – subscribe today
    • Newsletter sign up
    • Renew Subscription
No Result
View All Result
Spotlight News
No Result
View All Result
Home Towns Colonie

#nikostrong: Colonie teen injured in 2016 laid to rest

Jim Franco by Jim Franco
March 27, 2018
in Colonie, Community, Milestones, News, Towns
Reading Time: 3 mins read

#NikoDiNovo #NikoStrong #Funeral #March25 #DiNovo #PalaceTheatre #BlessedSacramentChurch #OurLadyofAngelsCemetery #AlbanyNY #ColonieNY #JimFranco #TheSpot518 #SpotlightNews

ALBANY — The marquee read “Fly High Niko DiNovo.”

And hundreds of people came to The Palace Theater, on Sunday March 25, to see the 17-year-old off.

DiNovo fought for 508 days after a crash on Oct. 28, 2016 that left more than 95 percent of his body with third degree burns. He underwent more than two dozen surgeries until his body could take no more and he died on Monday, March 19 with his loving family by his side.

A line of people walk by Niko DiNovo’s casket at The Palace Theater on Sunday, March 24. (Photo by Jim Franco/Spotlight News)

“He is the toughest kid I’ve ever met. A real champ,” said a friend of the family, Dan Mazzola, outside the Palace. “After seeing what he went through, it definitely made us tougher, makes everyday things we all go through seem small and trivial.”

The Colonie community, and the entire Capital District and beyond, galvanized around the DiNovo family, and the hashtag #nikostrong was a common sight on bumper stickers, t-shirts and sweatshirts and social media. His family, many of whom were by his side for the entire 508 days, dubbed him “the champ,” for his fight that inspired everyone who heard the story.

“Niko was a warrior for his tribe; fighting to live for exactly 508 days with strength, will and perseverance,” states his obituary. “He united a community, restored faith, and helped others find their purpose. God had a plan for Niko on the night of Oct. 28, 2016, a plan that was difficult for those who loved him to understand. It is now clear of God’s plan, Niko was a faithful servant, and has been awarded eternal peace and freedom from pain in Heaven …

“He will be missed, but now instead of praying for Niko, we pray to Niko.”

DiNovo was a passenger in a car when the driver, his friend 19-year-old Michael Carr, lost control and smashed into a vehicle parked outside Blessings Tavern at the intersection of Consaul and Watervliet Shaker roads. Everything burst into flames.

A patron and employee were taken to Albany Medical Center Hospital and the tavern was destroyed. DiNovo was flown to Westchester where he remained. Carr, who admitted to drinking rum and coke and smoking marijuana the day of the crash, was sentenced to six years in prison in January. Part of his plea deal at the time included the stipulation that prosecutors would not bring more serious

Mourners check out photos of Niko DiNovo with a flower arrangement in the shape of a Dallas Cowboys star in the background.
(Photo by Jim Franco/Spotlight News)

charges should DiNovo die.

“To turn a negative into some sort of a positive it has been fantastic to see the community come together,” said Michael Jung outside the Palace on Sunday. “It’s tragic, without a doubt, but it’s great to see all these people flooding in there and see him, and to give his family support. It’s really incredible.”

“He taught us to always put family first and you can’t take anything for granted because anything can happen at any moment,” said family friend Rich Stazio outside The Palace.

DiNovo is the son of Michael J. DiNovo Sr. and Alicia M. DiNovo (Ryder.) Brother to Michael J. DiNovo Jr., Bella DiNovo and Nino DiNovo. Grandson of James DiNovo Sr. and Donna DiNovo and the late Gladys Hartigan, David and Alice Ryder.  He is survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins.

“It’s a great family and it’s great the community stepped up the way it did” said family friend Joe Dibiase. “He was a great kid and he fought with all he had and now he is resting”

His funeral was on Monday, March 26 in Blessed Sacrament Church in Albany and he was laid to rest in the Our Lady of Angels Cemetery.

Anyone wishing to remember DiNovo is asked to make a contribution to the Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley, 80 Woods Road, Valhalla NY, 10595.

Anyone who wants to leave a message to the family can visit mcveighfuneralhome.com

Tags: Niko Dinovo
ShareTweetShareShare
Previous Post

Colonie man convicted of predatory sexual assault against a child

Next Post

MOVE Music Festival lineup announced

Leave Comment

Stay Connected with Us

Recent News

Albany Wine and Dine for the Arts returns to in-person experiences

January 25, 2023

South Colonie transportation department drives home kindness

January 25, 2023

North Colonie Welcomes Its New Assistant Superintendent Naté Turner-Hassell

January 25, 2023

Bethlehem CSD to launch new online student safety tool

January 25, 2023

Hot Stories This Week

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest

St. Peter’s opens baby café in Albany

January 20, 2023
Second Assistant Chief Patrick Boccio demonstrates how tight of a squeeze it is to get trucks in and out of Stanford Heights Fire Department while Chairman of the Board of Commissioner Kevin Hulett watches.  
Jim Franco/Spotlight News

Multiple major fires and a power outage in Colonie over 24 hours

January 22, 2023
Thelma Street house where raid took place.

Chinese citizen arrested after Thelma Street raid

January 19, 2023

Two men arrested at the Albany County Jail

January 18, 2023

Albany Wine and Dine for the Arts returns to in-person experiences

January 25, 2023

South Colonie transportation department drives home kindness

January 25, 2023

North Colonie Welcomes Its New Assistant Superintendent Naté Turner-Hassell

January 25, 2023

Bethlehem CSD to launch new online student safety tool

January 25, 2023
Spotlight News

Spotlight News, The Spot 518 and Capital District Family Now are divisions of Community Media Group, LLC. Our local offices are located at 341 Delaware Ave, Delmar, NY 12054. You can contact us at 518.439.4949.

Browse

Follow Us

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact the Editor
  • Employment
  • Our Team
  • Privacy & Policy

© 2022 Community Media Group, LLC - 341 Delaware Ave. Delmar, NY 12054. 518.439.4949

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Election 2022
  • News
    • Crime and Police
    • Fire Departments
    • Milestones
    • Real Estate and Housing
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Spotlight On Business
    • Spotlight on Finance
  • The Spot 518
    • Galleries
    • Art
    • Theatre
    • Music
    • Food and Drink
    • Health & Fitness
  • Hot Spots Calendar
  • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Opinion
  • Classifieds
    • Advertiser Login
    • Service Directory
    • Hire Power – Employer Spotlight
  • Capital District Family Now
    • Parenting News
    • Senior News
  • Towns
    • Albany County
    • Bethlehem
    • Colonie
    • Guilderland
  • Log In
  • Subscribe

© 2022 Community Media Group, LLC - 341 Delaware Ave. Delmar, NY 12054. 518.439.4949