NORWICH – Nicholas L. (“Nick”) DeSalvatore, 83, of Norwich, passed away Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at Chenango Memorial Hospital with family by his side.
Born December 27, 1929, in South Kortright, NY, Nick was the son of Vito and Maria (Schiavone) DeSalvatore. After graduating from Oneonta High School, on June 4, 1950, Nick married the love of his life, Dolores Boyea, who predeceased him after 58 years of marriage on November 13, 2008. In fact, he relinquished a full basketball scholarship to Colgate University to marry Dolores. He worked for 38 years at the Nabisco Company in Norwich as a wholesale foods salesman.
Nick was also very active in the Norwich community. He served with the local Knights of Columbus and Elks Club, which honored him as an Exalted Ruler. Nick sang with the St. Bartholomew’s Church choir and was active as a performer in musicals at the Chenango Community Players and Sidney’s Tri-Town Theater Company. Many can attest that he was a very talented singer. Nick was also very involved as a “Band Parent,” and served as its president for five years.
Nick is survived by his daughter, Suzanne (James) Tompkins, of Baldwinsville, and his son, Nicholas (Colleen) DeSalvatore, of Syracuse. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Andrew (Kate) Tompkins, of Providence, RI; Dominick DeSalvatore and Vincent DeSalvatore, both of Syracuse; and his great-grandson, Jacob. Brother Joseph (Ardyce) DeSalvatore, of Oneonta, and sisters Theresa DeSalvatore, of Oneonta, and Jeane Natoli, of Norwich, also survive. In addition to his wife, Nicholas was predeceased by his sister, Helen DeSalvatore.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Nick will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Bartholomew’s Church, where Rev. Ralph Bove, pastor, will officiate. Burial will immediately follow at St. Paul’s Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the Wilson Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday.
Contributions in memory of Nick may be made to St. Bartholomew’s Memorial Fund, 73 East Main Street, Norwich, NY 13815.
To leave the family of message of condolence, please visit the Wilson Funeral Home website at www.wilsonfh.com.