Nick Renzi had a lot to give, so he gave. The greater Cortland area is a better place due to his kindness and generosity.
Renzi, 93, died on Feb. 26, but his legacy will survive for decades to come. Upon his passing, he was remembered by colleagues and friends for his meticulous attention to detail, but also his dedication to charity — he donated not only his money, but his great mind, to the causes he supported.
A mechanical engineer by training, Renzi came to Cortland in 1972 as chief engineer for Pall Trinity Micro, rising to become vice president of engineering and manufacturing and then president of Pall Trinity Micro and senior vice president of Pall Corp., a position he held for 14 years before his 1994 retirement.
Renzi was detail-oriented and wanted things exactly right, according to those who worked with him. That’s helpful in any task, but it’s absolutely essential when performing the kind of manufacturing that Pall Corp. was known for. Sloppiness is expensive.
That same attentiveness served the town of Cortlandville well, as Renzi helped guide the town Planning Board through large, complex projects, such as the development of the Walmart Supercenter on Rt. 13. Some communities in the same situation had been browbeaten by Walmart’s vast resources, and the final product was far more to the company’s liking than the locals’. Not so in Cortlandville — Renzi’s leadership meant that the final plan had the most extensive stormwater management system of its kind, and the town didn’t buckle to Walmart’s demands.
Renzi was also deeply involved with the Guthrie Cortland Medical Center. He was a member of the Cortland Memorial Foundation Board and was Chair of the Investment Committee in support of Guthrie Cortland Medical Center. He donated $1 million to help build the $10 million cancer center that bears his name and opened on his 90th birthday in 2021. Three years later, he donated another $1 million to open the Guthrie Cortland Renzi Health Campus on West Street.
In addition to his efforts to make our community healthier, he was also interested in fostering its future. Renzi was a member of the TC3 Foundation Board and chair of its Investment Committee, and served on the Baden Powell Council of the Boy Scouts.
Nicholas Renzi was a giant — in his industry, in his devotion to his family, in his devotion to his community. He knew his contributions could improve the lives of others, so he worked on their behalf, and gave with both hands. He will be missed, but he will also be remembered.
