Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
Nicholas DerCola Obituary
Born July 22, 1927, in Lyons, N.Y., Coach grew up and ran with the infamous Franklin Street boys. He is preceded by his parents, four brothers and one sister.
He is survived by his children, Diane (Bruce) Stahl, Nicholas (Joni) DerCola, John (Holly) DerCola, Michael (Corinne) DerCola, David (Kelly) DerCola. The Coach was a proud grandfather of 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. Referred to as Poppa-Coach.
After lettering in three sports at Lyons High School, he left school after his junior year to serve in the US Navy, and later returned home to graduate. He was inducted into the inaugural class of the Lyons Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.
He attended Ithaca College on an athletic scholarship. It was here that he again lettered in three sports and earned All American honors in football. He was inducted into the Ithaca College Sports Hall of Fame 1971.
Although born in Lyons, he lived in Clyde 71 years and served as Athletic Director/Coach for 32 years and retired from the Clyde-Savannah school system in 1985. Coach was later inducted into the inaugural Section Five Football and Clyde Hall of Fame 1998 and 2002 respectively. He mentored a countless number of students, always encouraging them to do their best and most of all have fun.
Among his many passions in life his love for his beloved Margaret and family stood at the top. Coaching was his pride and joy leading to 681 total high school victories, leaving a memorable impression on the lives of his student athletes. Sports included boys' football, baseball, and basketball. In his early years of retirement, he was drawn back to coaching and agreed to coach the girls' basketball team, this new undertaking was an unexpected joy and completed his coaching legacy. It produced the first girls sport Section Five championship at Clyde Savannah. His other passions included playing golf (loved Wayne Hills CC), having coffee with "the boys" and watching Yankee baseball.
In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the charity of your choice.
A Scholarship fund, in memory of Nicholas J. DerCola will be established and further information will be available soon.
Please join us at St. John's Catholic Church in Clyde on Friday, (June 14), at 11 a.m. for a mass service for both Nick and Margaret. The family will be available to greet you at 10 a.m. at the church. This will be followed by interment in St John's cemetery.
Please join the family for a celebration of both Margaret and Coach at the Clyde VFW at 1 p.m.
Arrangement by Pusateri Funeral Home, Clyde, N.Y. Visit www.legacy.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Nicholas DerCola
Sponsored by Pusateri Funeral Home.
Nancy Bryan
June 7, 2025
To all the family, We know it can not be any easier now, the hole that was left when your dear dad and mom went to heaven. They were so sweet and such a major part of this community! They helped and inspired so many, including us! Take comfort in the fact that they will never be forgotten, and will live on in all of our hearts. And they live on inheaven! Prayers and love to all of you, Nancy and John
Jeanne Rice
April 1, 2025
Spoke with Dianne. This is her info. Dianne Stahl 208 Brookside Dr Waterloo NY 13165. Phone 315-719-5830.
Bertie Rose
March 31, 2025
If anyone has Diane´s info - I would love to get in contact with her- she was one of my cheerleaders and student when I taught at Clyde - Savannah
Bertie Rose
March 31, 2025
He was such an amazing person- coach and friend. Would love to connect with his daughter Diane
Christine Krebbeks
June 23, 2024
I met Coach when I worked in a Group Home in Clifton Springs. Every so often the DerCola's would come to visit a family member who lived there. Coach was always the perfect gentleman. Always kind and positive with his words. I enjoyed the talks we had. He'll be remembered fondly.
Carol Garafalo
June 16, 2024
Our mom Jennie Stirpe Garafalo , who passed in 2006. Always spoke of her time growing up on Franklin Street in Lyons NY. Her brothers are Mike, Nick, Albert, Tony. And Peter. Her sisters are Louise, Mary, and Anita. Peter is the remaining child left. Him and his wife Donna both live in Pennsylvania, near their family. They all grew up, as my mom would always say at 38 Franklin Street. Our mom Jennie was the eldest child born in 1920. She always spoke very highly about all of the families, but I do remember her talking about the DerColas. Our mom was always saying how they had the best of times on Franklin Street. Everyone didn´t have very much with the Depression back then, but they made the most of it. I hope your parents meet up with all that have gone before them and continue the good times. So sorry for your loss. God bless your mom and dad and all that knew and loved them now and always........
Carmen Pascarella
June 15, 2024
Carm, Margaret and Carm3 Pascarella send our condolences. They were both great people and will sadly missed. We will keep them and all of the family in our thoughts and prayers. They are together in heaven.
Joe Sposato
June 15, 2024
My condolences to the Dercola family. I knew Nick in his role as coach director and baseball umpire. He was a total leader and friend throughout our association in sports. In the 1980-1990 decade he umpired many of our Waterloo Championship baseball games with excellence. My parents knew Nick from his days in Lyons when my dad operated a shoe store. God Bless Nick and his service to Clyde and the area. Joe Sposato
Bill Wade, Jacksonville, FL
June 15, 2024
My respects to the DerCola family in this time of shock and sorrow at he passing of their mom and dad. As they have remained in my thoughts over the years, they.and the family will now be in my prayers. Our Father in Heaven seems to have wanted them together so they could be accepted into eternity as the wonderful souls they are. Trust God, he works in wonderful ways
Natalie Salerno
June 14, 2024
Will be greatly missed. Fly high
Steve Cooley
June 14, 2024
Condolences to the DerCola Family on the loss of your Mom & Dad, having grown up in Tyre and attending Mynderse Academy it was always game on, when it came time to play Clyde in football. Coach DerCola had great success with his teams, must have been special to have that kind of leadership and expectation to win.. God bless
Diana and John Marro
June 13, 2024
Our sincere sympathy to the family the loss of two wonderful people
Robert Maher
June 13, 2024
I had the honor of coaching football against Nick´s. teams while I coached at DeSale! He was an excellent coach and a real positive role model for all his players´. He was fun and he leaves us with a boat of great memories! My condolences to all his family ! Bob Maher
Lorna
June 13, 2024
Our Deepest condolences to the Family. Losing Our Parents is Hard. So sorry for your familys loss. Prayers to you all. Rest in Peace Coach.
and Wife.
Dennis M Fischette
June 13, 2024
I am so sorry for the loss of your Mom and Dad. You are all in my prayers .
DAVE ROGERS FAMILY (SENECA FALLS)
June 13, 2024
To all of the family of Margaret and Nick. We are so sorry for your loss of Mom and Dad. They are angels now watching over you. I played football at Mynderse and came in contact with Dad a few times. I also got to know him afterward. He was very respectful and always a gentleman and yes a great coach. I am sure Mom was a class lady and always there for him and the family. May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. May the REST IN PEACE.
Nancy and John Bryan
June 13, 2024
To All the Family, John and I are so sorry about Coach's passing. He was an inspired and inspiring person. To know someone who was so successful and talented in so things, and was still so humble and gentle, is amazing. I am so lucky to have been in school when he was coaching. And when I moved back to Clyde 20 years ago and began singing at St. John's, it was so great to see he and your mom, always in the same pew, worshiping. What a sweet couple! We know how much you will miss him. He is in heaven with your mom. We are promised by God that we will see the ones we love again in heaven. We can hang onto that! All our love and prayers, Nancy and John
Randy and Jeanne Rice
June 12, 2024
Although we are sad for the loss of our Beloved "Coach" and Margaret, we can't help rejoice that they are together living happily ever after with our Father in Heaven. I will never forget his last words to me. "See you in Church."
Showing 1 - 18 of 18 results
Make a Donation
in Nicholas DerCola's name
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
Memorial Events
for Nicholas DerCola
How to support Nicholas's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Nicholas DerCola's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
