Joseph C. Nicholas

Joseph C. Nicholas, 87, longtime resident of Fall Creek, died Tuesday, December 31, 2013, at the Hospicare Residence. He was born in Ithaca, son of the late Abraham and Susie Solomon Nicholas.

Joe was a graduate of Ithaca High School and served with the United States Navy during World War II. He was retired from BOCES where he worked for over 30 years in the communications department. Joe had also worked for many years at the State Theater. Prior to starting his career at BOCES, Joe also worked for International Salt and the McLean China Shop. Joe had been a fixture of downtown Ithaca for years and loved his visits to Mansour Jewelers, Morris' and the State Street Diner.

A loving and devoted son, brother, and most of all, uncle, Joe's family was always the center of his life. He is survived by his brothers, Michael Nicholas and Richard Nicholas; sister-in-law, Rita Riley Nicholas; his nieces and nephews, Jimmy and Bobby Nicholas, Cheryl Vaugh, Mick and Gary Nicholas, Michael and Jack Kaplan, Julie Nicholas, Susan (Dan) Miller, Pamela (George) Arsenault, Richard, Joseph and John Nicholas. In addition, Joe leaves behind many great nieces and nephews; Sara, Amy, Joe, Michelle, Jesse, Nicholas, Alecia, Dominic, Braelen, Cameron, Lucy and Skylar. He will be deeply missed by his great nephews and niece whom Joe referred to as his "sweethearts" Lavante, Jahlil, Nicholas and Lauren. In addition to his parents, Joe was predeceased by his brothers, Abraham, John and George "Butch" and sisters Josephine Fenner and Leona Kaplan.

Funeral services will be celebrated by Fr. Jeffrey Tunnicliff on Saturday, January 4th at 10 am at Bangs Funeral Home. Interment with military honors will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday, January 3rd from 3 to 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe's memory may be made to Hospicare, 172 E. King Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850.