PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Actor Nicholas Colasanto, better known as Coach Ernie Pantusso on the television series 'Cheers,' was given a final standing ovation during a funeral mass Saturday in a church not far from where he was born.
Colasanto, 61, a Providence native, died of a heart attack Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles.
Colasanto was eulogized during services at Holy Cross Church as a 'truly terrific guy who filled the chapters of our lives,' said actor George Garro, a longtime friend of Colasanto. 'You done good Coach. We love you.'
More than 175 family and friends attended the 75-minute service at the church. At least 100 others gathered outside.
Among those in attendance was Colasanto's fellow actor, John Ratzenberger, who plays the part of mailman Cliff Claven on the hit series.
Colasanto, who began his Hollywood career as an acting coach and director, was buried at St. Anne's Cemetery in Cranston.
The Christian service was offered by the Rev. Joseph Protano, who alluded to Colasanto's nearly 20-year bout with alcoholism, calling his life, 'a long and difficult one ... but a good one.'
Colasanto, who was twice nominated for Emmys as the dim-witted but loveable Coach on the comedy series, was divorced and had no children.
'It's fair to say, Nick, you lived a terrific life,' Garro said. 'He made the part of Coach an integral part of theseries ... (which) was a second family to him.'
Colasanto, one of seven children, is survived by his sisters, Raffelena, 76, of Johnston, and Phyllis, 69, of Providence, and a nephew, Joseph Pietrantonio, 37, of Johnston.
'We'll (still) have Nick in living color in 'Cheers', and that will be special for us,' Garro said. 'We'll laugh a lot for him.'
A memorial service for Colasanto is also being planned in Hollywood.
