They brought their stories, they brought their memories and they brought their tears.
Family and friends gathered outside Tony’s Billiards Saturday evening to remember Nick Tanti, the “life of the party” and a true friend to anyone lucky enough to know him.
Flowers and candles were laid on the sidewalk as many broke down in tears, still stunned by the senseless loss of their friend, brother and son.
Tanti, 27, was stabbed to death during an altercation with two men early Saturday morning on the sidewalk outside Tony’s Billiards.
“He didn’t deserve something like this,” said Colby Tapson, a longtime friend of Nick's sister Jessy and former football teammate of Nick's.
He described Tanti as a great all-around person.
“He was someone you could always go to if you needed some from-the-hip advice. Someone that wouldn’t steer you wrong,” Tapson said.
“He deserved all the best in the world. He was more than reliable. Guelph is less without him, and that’s all I can say,” Tapson said. “I still can’t believe it.”
Kenny Ferris has known Tanti since elementary school at St. John’s, then Holy Trinity, then St. James Catholic High School.
They played football together, in high school for the St. James Lions and in the summer with the Guelph Bears.
“Playing football together, they always tell you to treat everybody like a brother and we were all like family,” Ferris said.
“He was definitely a comedian. Definitely the life of the party. The kind of guy that when he walked in a room you definitely knew he was there,” Ferris said.
He called Tanti “loyal” and someone who was your friend for life.
“That’s my dude! That’s my dude!” cried another man before breaking down in sobs.
Around 60 people gathered, including Nick’s mother and sister, Jessy, who said a few words before the crowd moved inside the billiard hall to spend more time together.
“I just can’t believe it. We can’t believe it,” said his sister.
“It doesn’t feel real. My dad just talked to him yesterday. My mom just talked to him a bit ago to celebrate his 27th birthday,” Jessy said.
Police say that at around 2 a.m. Saturday three males were involved in a disturbance on the sidewalk in front of Tony’s Billiards on MacDonell Street. Tanti was stabbed and died a short time later in hospital.
The other two men were arrested a short time later after fleeing the scene.
Two Guelph men, ages 22 and 26, are being held in custody pending a bail hearing.
Police are requesting that anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Detective Constable Scott Biser at 519-824-1212 Ext. #7131 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
