Nicholas Vandam

Nicholas Allan Vandam, 64, of Brooktondale, NY.
Nick was born in Akron, Ohio. He graduated from Case Western Reserve, and obtained a Masters Degree from Cornell University. He loved to teach and was very proud of his work; he (was a math instructor) taught math at Ithaca College for 33 years. Nick was a Vietnam Veteran.
Nick married Lucy Gagliardo; they loved, cared for, and supported each other for 27 years. Nick was preceded in death by his daughter, Kimberly Nicole and mother, Bertha Vandam. He is survived by his wife, son Daniel Allan, his sister Debra Vandam and his father A. Allan Vandam.
While living in Akron, Nick helped his dad with the family vegetable garden, and the one time chore turned into a life-long passion for planting and watching things grow and thrive.
Nick loved hiking the Finger Lakes Trail and the Adirondack High Peaks and was always in awe of the beauty and nature around us. He was an active member of the Adirondack Mountain Club. An avid cyclist, he used his bicycle as his main source of transportation, and biked on Sundays with the Finger Lakes Cycling Club, attending "Our Lady of the Spinning Wheel Church".
Though Nick had his own way of doing things, which frustrated some of us, we all knew he was a good man with a big heart. He was very excited to become a father and is very proud of his son.
Nick's passion for saving energy, the environment and money make these four phrases his most spoken: "did you turn down the heat?", "did you turn off the light?", "that is recyclable" and "You can bike there."
Life would not have been complete for Nick if he was not an active community member. He most recently volunteered his time at the Caroline Food Pantry.
There will be a grave side service with full military honors on Saturday, Nov. 24 at 10:00 a.m. at Quick Cemetery, Brooktondale, New York immediately followed by a reception at the Brooktondale Community Center. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Caroline Food Pantry, Slaterville Ambulance, or The Enviromental Defense Fund.
A memorial service is planned for a future date
Bangs Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.