George "Butch" Nicholas

George "Butch" Nicholas, 84, longtime resident of Fall Creek, passed away on Monday, March 18, 2013 at the Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca. He was born in Ithaca, son of the late Abraham and Susie Solomon Nicholas.

Butch was a 1947 graduate of Ithaca High School and served with the United States Army during the Korean War. He was a retired construction worker and had been a member of the Laborer's International #589 for over 50 years. He had been a member of #7's Volunteer Fire Co. for many years and had worked for County Ambulance. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church, Elks Lodge #636, VFW Post 961 and the Ithaca Eagles #1253. Butch was an avid supporter of Ithaca College Athletics, especially Bombers Football.

A loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and brother, Butch is survived by his wife of 47 years, Rita Riley Nicholas; his daughters, Julie Nicholas and Susan (Daniel) Miller and his grandchildren, Nicholas John Miller and Lauren Michelle Miller. He is also survived by his brothers, Michael of Massena, NY, Joseph of Ithaca and Richard of New Port Richey, FL and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents he was also predeceased by his brothers, Abraham and John and sisters, Josephine Fenner and Leona Murray Kaplan.

A Mass of The Resurrection will be celebrated by Fr. Jeffrey Tunnicliff on Friday, March 22, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church. Burial with military honors will follow at the Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call on Thursday, March 21, 2013 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Bangs Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations in Butch's memory may be made to the Immaculate Conception School, 318 W. Buffalo St., Ithaca, NY 14850.