Nicolas A. Veronico

BURLINGTON - Nicholas A. Veronico age 94, of Burlington, passed away Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at Walnut Grove in Lake Geneva. Nicolas was born June 22, 1917 in Carbonara di Bari, Italy to the late Anthony and Maria (nee Lollino) Veronico. At age 12, he immigrated to the United States on a 10-day voyage aboard the S.S. Roma, landing at Ellis Island in July of 1929. He settled in Chicago, Illinois, where he graduated from Lane Tech High School and met his wife, Geraldine Silvestri, to whom he was married on June 24, 1939. Following their marriage, they made their home in Chicago and then Wheaton, Illinois. Geraldine preceded Nicolas in death in May of 1983. Nicolas proudly served in the United States Army as a Sergeant from 1943 until 1946. He was a veteran of World War II and was a writer for the Pacific edition of the Stars and Stripes newspaper. He enjoyed a successful career as a reporter for the Chicago Tribune and in Public Relations for Peoples Gas Light and Coke Company and the Illinois Bell Telephone Company. After his retirement, Nicolas was a freelance writer for various Chicagoland newspapers. Nicolas had been a member of St. Michael and St. Mark Churches in Wheaton, IL, St. Mary Catholic Church in Burlington. He was also a member of the Chicago Press Veterans Association, the Chicago Newspaper Reporters Association, the Knights of Columbus, former director of the Publicity Club of Chicago, member and past president of the DuPage Press Association, Public Information Chairman of the DuPage Chapter of the American Red Cross, and lifetime member and past Commander of the Wheaton, Illinois Post of the VFW. Nicolas had spent 20 years in Chicago, 50 years in Wheaton, IL, and the past 13 years in Burlington, WI. Nicolas had many interests including world travel, classical and opera music, gardening, politics, and current events. He also enjoyed spending time with his five children, twelve grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren. He strove to instill in them the importance of education, hard work, tolerance, peace, and appreciation of the beautiful things in life. Survivors include his loving children; Anthony Veronico, Maria Veronico Ventura, Angela (Marty Munvez) Veronico, Loretta (Steve) Jackson and Jim Veronico, grandchildren; James (Bonnie) Veronico, Michael Veronico, Kim (Dave) O'Brien, Jim (Monica) Veronico Ventura, Christy (Greg) Edwards, Mike (Ronda) Newhouse Conner, Angela (Eric) Daft, Joe Rosenthal, Mike Rosenthal, Joshua (Raquel) Jackson, Jonathan (Melissa) Jackson and Nicholas Jackson, great-grandchildren; Connor, Lauren, Levi and Robert O'Brien, Genna, Reese, Grace and Ashton Edwards, Dakota and Kalea Conner, Logan Daft, Owen Jackson and baby Daft on the way, and by a brother, Joseph (Evelyn) Veronico. Nicolas was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Geraldine, sisters; Stella (Savino) Partipillo, Rose (Giuseppe) Quaranta and Angelina (Raffaele) Ventrella, and by a son-in-law, James D. Ventura. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 12:00 Noon at St. Mary Catholic Church with Rev. James Volkert officiating. Relatives and friends may visit with the family at Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home on Saturday, from 9:00 AM until 11:30 AM. Burial will follow the service at 3:00 PM at St. Michael Cemetery in Wheaton, IL. In lieu of flowers memorials have been suggested to Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, Love Inc. in Burlington, the Transitional Living Center in Burlington or to St. Mary School in Burlington. Schuette-Daniels Family Funeral Home 625 Browns Lake Dr. Burlington, WI 53105 262-763-3434 www.danielsfamilyfuneral.com