John A. Nicola

John A. Nicola, of Riverdale, NJ, passed away on February 23, 2024 at his home.  John was born on August 28, 1928 in Paterson, NJ, the eighth of eight children born to John Nicolo and Josephine Petriccione, who emigrated to the United States from the Naples area of Italy in the early 1900's.  He had been a resident of Riverdale since 2004, after living and raising a family in Wayne, NJ since 1962.

John joined the United States Navy in early August 1945 at the age of 17. After serving two years, he trained as a machinist, and worked for several companies in northern New Jersey in positions of increasing responsibility, finally retiring from Litton Industries in 1991 as a plant engineer.

John married Esther Caradonna of Waldwick, NJ in September 1951, enjoying a 63 year marriage until her passing in March 2014.  They were blessed with four children who all attended school in Wayne.

Golf was one of John's favorite leisure activities, and he had some wonderful golfing buddies over the years.  He played for years in groups at Passaic County golf course with several of his boyhood friends, and eventually with another group, the Cranford Golf Club, which toured to and played many New Jersey courses.  John was also a man of skill and determination when it came to making things with his hands; he devoted years to making stained glass lamps and other decorative items, some with thousands of small pieces of colored glass which he carefully assembled and soldered together.

John and Esther were founding members of Our Lady of Consolation Church Catholic Church in Wayne from 1963, attending with his family in the auditorium of Schuyler-Colfax Junior High School before the completion of the new Church in 1967.

John is remembered for his care and love of his children, including Josepha (Jody) Nicola of Butler, NJ, John and Marie Nicola of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Mary Halka of Wanaque, NJ, and Patricia and Bruce Vendola of Clifton, NJ. He was a loving grandfather to four, including Michael, Elizabeth, Evelyn, and Stanley, and eight great grandchildren.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers or other remembrances, donations in memory of John A. Nicola be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

To sign his guest register or to leave online condolences please visit vandermay.com and click on his picture.