Nicodemo J. “Nick” Piccolo Jr.

Nick was born on May 18, 1947, in Kane, Pa., to the late Nicodemo J. Piccolo Sr. and Eva Mae Connolly.

Nick spent his childhood living in Silver Creek, and throughout northwestern Pennsylvania, spending his last few years of high school in Indianapolis, Ind., sharing a home with his cousin/surrogate mother, Gracie McLaughlin and her sons: Ricky, Jimmy and Kenny. Following graduation, Nick returned to Silver Creek where he met his future wife and soul mate, Connie Waugh, who he vowed to love forever and a day.

Nick and Connie were approaching 55 years of marriage, having wed on April 21, 1967. Together, Nick and Connie raised their three loving children: Nicolette (Stephen) Riczker, Scott (Margie) Piccolo and Gina Piccolo. For the past 26 years, they have had the joy of sharing in the lives of their four beautiful grandchildren: Taylor Piccolo, Lucas Riczker, Andrew Piccolo and Aiden Piccolo; and most recently, their first great-granddaughter, Taylor’s daughter, Caroline. Nothing was more important to Nick than family, and his family provided him with a neverending source of pride and joy.

Nick spent his career working as an electrician in the steel industry, retiring from both Al Tech Specialty Steel Corporation and Special Metals. For a number of years, while working at the steel plant, Nick was also self-em-ployed as an electrician. His business motto was, “no job too small.” He was the type of electrician that could be relied upon for jobs both big and small. He wasn’t in it to make the most money, he was in it to help those who needed it.

Following his second retirement and until May of 2020, Nick served as a driver for the Dunkirk- Fredonia Area Meals on Wheels program. While making meal deliveries, Nick always took the time to visit with his clients, and it’s unclear who enjoyed those visits more, the clients or Nick.

During his years at the steel plant, Nick also was an active member of the United Steelworkers Local 2693. He held several different leadership roles within the union, including steward, department grievance man, unit griever, and unit chairperson. He also served as recording secretary and financial secretary for the United Steel Workers Local 2693. In 2003, Nick was an integral member and lead negotiator of the Union Negotiating Team, successfully negotiating new contracts while his employer was under Chapter 11 Bankruptcy proceedings, and again in 2008, after the company emerged out of Chapter 11.

In addition to his long career as a skilled tradesman, Nick spent many years in public service to the village of Silver Creek. He served three terms as a village trustee and three terms as mayor, being crossendorsed by both the democratic and republican parties when running for mayor. Some of Nick’s many accomplishments during his terms in office included the demolition of the old Seegert’s dairy building and securing FEMA funding to reimburse the village for expenses incurred during the flood.

Nick impacted the lives of countless young people over the years, serving as a coach for Little League, girls’ softball and modified football. Coach Pic’s passion for sports was contagious, and it gave him tremendous joy to share his passion and knowledge of sports with the young men and women of his community. In addition to his years spent as a coach, Pic was an accomplished athlete in his own right, playing fastpitch softball for years in multiple leagues throughout the western New York area. Nick was elected into the Western New York Softball Hall of Fame as a catcher in the class of 1992. He was also honored as a member of the Grape Belt Players and Coaches Association in the class of 2005.

Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Nick knew that he was a true people person. Nick never met a stranger, only future friends. One of Nick’s greatest joys was creating greeting cards for every occasion from holidays to birthdays to anniversaries and other special events. Everyone looked forward to receiving Nick’s personalized and heartfelt cards and this year, he happened to send his cards out early. So many commented on how happy they were to have already received his Christmas cards this year, which was made all the more poignant by his untimely passing.

Nothing gave Nick greater joy in life than his family, his friends, and his faith. His life was enriched by his relationship with the Gage Chapel Community Church, where he and Connie have been faithful members for over 25 years. His commitment and love for his church community was evidenced by his roles as deacon and as an integral member of various church projects over the years. Nick was also the epitome of what it means to be a good neighbor. Every winter, both he and Connie could be found snowblowing their own driveway, along with the driveways of several of their neighbors. If anyone needed a helping hand, Nick was always found with Connie, first in line.

In addition to his parents, Nick was preceded in death by his brother, Francisco Piccolo; and sisters: Cora Lalonde and Pearl Connolly.

Left to cherish his memory with his wife, children and grandchildren are his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Steve and Carol Waugh of Fredonia and their daughters: Tara, Melanie and Mindy; “brother” Jimmy McLaughlin and his wife, Vicki, niece, Cheryl and her husband, Bud; Connie’s family in Kentucky, Arkansas and West Virginia; his sister, Patricia Vaugh; along with countless coworkers, colleagues and friends, and his beloved cat, Smokey.

Friends may call at the Hole-Parker Funeral Chapel, 160 Central Ave., Silver Creek, N.Y., on Friday, Dec. 10, 2021, from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, at the Gage Chapel Community Church, 475 King Road, Forestville, N.Y., at 10 a.m. Interment will be in the Mt Carmel Cemetery.

The family suggests memorial contributions in Nick’s memory to Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals on Wheels, 196 Newton St. Suite 5, Fredonia, NY 14063 or the Gage Chapel Community Church 465 King Road, Forestville, NY 14062.

Please share condolences at www.hole-parkerfc.com.