Nicholas Braccia Jr
April 23, 1947 — July 31, 2025
Nicholas Joseph Braccia Jr. passed away peacefully on July 31, 2025, surrounded by his family. Born on April 23, 1947, in Stamford, CT, he was the son of the late Nicholas Braccia Sr. and Rose Marciano Braccia of Stamford.
Nick, or Nicky to his friends and family, grew up in Stamford, graduated from Stamford High School in 1965, and joined the Stamford Police Department in 1967. He took great pride in his many roles at the department over 38 years, whether serving as a patrolman, working in the detective bureau, or teaching at the city’s satellite academy, a role he especially cherished until his retirement. In his later years, he joined the team at Associated Appliance in Stamford and Monroe, working alongside many dear friends. He also founded a successful baseball card business, Fantastic Flips.
In 1974, Nick married the love of his life, Elaine Breisler, and the two settled in Norwalk, where they raised their sons, Nicholas III and Christopher. Nick was active in various communities. He coached baseball in Stamford and Norwalk and helped organize the Stamford Police Department’s family Christmas parties for many years. In retirement, he joined the Knights of Columbus, where he was a Fourth Degree Knight. He ran the monthly Men’s Night Suppers and served as Chair of the Entertainment Committee. He was especially proud to be a member of the organization.
A lifelong Yankees fan, Nick was instrumental in organizing several fundraising baseball card shows in Stamford and Norwalk during the 1980s and 1990s for groups like Stamford’s Police Athletic League. Through these shows, he brought baseball legends, including his hero Mickey Mantle, Billy Martin, Phil Rizzuto, Don Larsen, and others, to the area to meet fans and inspire kids. He was also passionate about APBA Baseball, a board game he played for his entire life. Through the internet, he became part of APBA’s national community and enjoyed attending conventions around the country and the friendships he built there.
Nick loved his family deeply. His wife, sons and granddaughters were his pride and joy, and he greatly cherished time spent with his extended family. He was always the life of the party, a mischief-maker in the best sense.
Nick is survived by his wife of nearly 51 years, Elaine Breisler Braccia; his sons, Nicholas J. Braccia III and his partner Erika of New York City, and Christopher J. Braccia and his wife Karen of Ridgefield, CT; and his beloved grandchildren: Aria and Serena, daughters of Christopher and Karen, who knew him affectionately as “Poppy”; and Evelyn, daughter of Nicholas. He is also survived by his sister, Phyllis Reid of Norwalk, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends made across a life rich in flavor, food, and fun. He was predeceased by his parents and his older brother, Carmine.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on August 13 at 10:00 AM at St. Matthew RC Church, 216 Scribner Avenue, Norwalk, CT. Interment will be held privately, and there will be no calling hours. Details for a Celebration of Life will be shared at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Nick’s memory to Stamford PAL, the American Heart Association, or a charity of your choice.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com.
Nick, or Nicky to his friends and family, grew up in Stamford, graduated from Stamford High School in 1965, and joined the Stamford Police Department in 1967. He took great pride in his many roles at the department over 38 years, whether serving as a patrolman, working in the detective bureau, or teaching at the city’s satellite academy, a role he especially cherished until his retirement. In his later years, he joined the team at Associated Appliance in Stamford and Monroe, working alongside many dear friends. He also founded a successful baseball card business, Fantastic Flips.
In 1974, Nick married the love of his life, Elaine Breisler, and the two settled in Norwalk, where they raised their sons, Nicholas III and Christopher. Nick was active in various communities. He coached baseball in Stamford and Norwalk and helped organize the Stamford Police Department’s family Christmas parties for many years. In retirement, he joined the Knights of Columbus, where he was a Fourth Degree Knight. He ran the monthly Men’s Night Suppers and served as Chair of the Entertainment Committee. He was especially proud to be a member of the organization.
A lifelong Yankees fan, Nick was instrumental in organizing several fundraising baseball card shows in Stamford and Norwalk during the 1980s and 1990s for groups like Stamford’s Police Athletic League. Through these shows, he brought baseball legends, including his hero Mickey Mantle, Billy Martin, Phil Rizzuto, Don Larsen, and others, to the area to meet fans and inspire kids. He was also passionate about APBA Baseball, a board game he played for his entire life. Through the internet, he became part of APBA’s national community and enjoyed attending conventions around the country and the friendships he built there.
Nick loved his family deeply. His wife, sons and granddaughters were his pride and joy, and he greatly cherished time spent with his extended family. He was always the life of the party, a mischief-maker in the best sense.
Nick is survived by his wife of nearly 51 years, Elaine Breisler Braccia; his sons, Nicholas J. Braccia III and his partner Erika of New York City, and Christopher J. Braccia and his wife Karen of Ridgefield, CT; and his beloved grandchildren: Aria and Serena, daughters of Christopher and Karen, who knew him affectionately as “Poppy”; and Evelyn, daughter of Nicholas. He is also survived by his sister, Phyllis Reid of Norwalk, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends made across a life rich in flavor, food, and fun. He was predeceased by his parents and his older brother, Carmine.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on August 13 at 10:00 AM at St. Matthew RC Church, 216 Scribner Avenue, Norwalk, CT. Interment will be held privately, and there will be no calling hours. Details for a Celebration of Life will be shared at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Nick’s memory to Stamford PAL, the American Heart Association, or a charity of your choice.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Nicholas Braccia Jr, please visit our flower store.
Make a donation to one of the following charities in remembrance of Nicholas Braccia Jr
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American Heart Association