Juan Carlos (“Nestor”) Basile was born in Catania, Sicily, on February 1, 1946. He was the eldest of five siblings born to Dolores Mulet and Costantino Basile. His family left Sicily and resettled in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1948; Nestor was raised there and recalled his home country with great fondness. Especially when it came to his Argentinian bakery treats, Pope Francis, Lionel Messi, or any Argentinian futbol match. He rarely left his favorite chair in his final year, except when he had to sit on top of the television “to see the ball correctly.”Many hours of his final years were spent trying-usually unsuccessfully- to Google the FIFA and F1 schedules or arguing with his Apple TV voice control setting, so he could watch his InterCF matches.

Although Nestor spent nearly 50 years as a chef, he also studied political science and architecture at university in Buenos Aires, before beginning a business that would ultimately bring him to the United States. Nestor arrived in Miami in 1981 to establish a clothing boutique, and although his life path ultimately landed in food, his dreams of having his own business never faded. Throughout the course of his restaurant -living -life, he also owned his own Italian restaurants twice and his critical business minded thinking remained strong till the end.

Nestor was at his happiest with his children and grandchildren, who remember him as a person who seemed larger than life and whose loss is unfathomable. He loved his family and treated most everyone he knew as if they were a member of his.

He was the ultimate example of strength under pressure, courage, perseverance, and carrying on to fight another day. He was a presence that will remain forever in all who knew and loved him. Nobody expressed love more freely, or looked out more protectively, than he did.

After a long and difficult journey, Nestor passed peacefully in the home he loved so much, surrounded by his children and their mother. His love and spirit lives on in all those he loved the most, including his dearest friends and cousins. He is survived by his daughters Bianca and Gabriela, sons-in-law Vik and Ozzy, and his most beloved grandchildren Aran, Avi, and Ellie.

Following his Celebration of Life Memorial, Nestor’s remains will be returned by his children to his birthplace in Sicily. He will be happy to return home once again.

Un beso & il bacio, Dad. You’re the best. We love you forever.

Celebration of Life Memorial Service Saturday, November 8, 2025 from 12:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. Please keep the Basile family in your thoughts and prayers. The Joseph A. Scarano Pines Memorial Chapel is Honored to assist the Basile family with the arrangements.