Howard J. McNicholas

Howard Joseph McNicholas passed away on June 20, 2025, at his residence in Rahway, NJ. Born in Garwood, NJ to Howard Sr. and Gladys Pierson McNicholas, he was the middle child. At an early age the family moved to Elizabeth, NJ where he spent his school years at Sacred Heart graduating in 1953. After high school he served in the United States Army and was stationed in Panama. On a blind date, on New Year's Eve, he met the love of his life, our mother, Jeanette Pingor. They spent fifty-eight years together before mom's passing in 2016. Working for the Westfield Post Office for thirty-three years became more than a career, it was his passion. Getting involved in his local Union, Branch 1492, he achieved the level of President. As the President he helped to improve the working conditions at his local PO as well as opening up communications and service to the community. He also became involved with the Union on the state level, rising to the position of NJ State Secretary of the NALC. As a child he was involved in school sports, playing basketball and baseball throughout his time at Sacred Heart School. This love of sports carried over throughout his entire life. He played tennis, racquetball, handball, bowling and pool. A favorite team was The Sports Club in the Warinanco Park softball league, one of the many teams on which he played with his son Ed and cousins, Peter, Bob, Mike and Richard Pingor. The Union County Senior league and his travel team were a very important part of his golden years. He played softball into his eighties, on third base or short-stop. The travel team that he played on even won the Senior World Series. Even though he was not born in Rahway, his love of Rahway was strong. Family history shows his ancestors going back to the early 1800s. As a dedicated fan he would often be found watching a Rahway HIgh School game. He was dedicated to helping the kids that he coached following them as they grew up. Rahway Rec Baseball and Rahway Church League Basketball were lucky to have had him as a coach for many years. In middle age he learned to play guitar and banjo. As grandchildren arrived he sang the songs of Woody Guthrie to them as well as teaching them many early American Union songs. This introduction gave the grandchildren a love of music and a history lesson as well. Mick is predeceased by his wife Jeanette (Pingor), his parents Howard and Gladys (Pierson), in-laws John and Anne Pingor, his siblings, John McNicholas and Carole McNicholas, and his grandson and namesake Joseph H. Goldstein. Surviving are his three children, Christine and Kenneth Snyder, Edward and Colleen McNicholas, Susan and Gary HIggins; his grandchildren, Richard Goldstein, Annie and Douglas Peters, Amy Goldstein, Jennifer James, Blaise McNicholas Quinn and Connor Willem, Lacey McNicholas, Max Higgins, Marlaina and Thomas Pfister and Erin Snyder; great-grandchildren, Nathaniel, Elizabeth, Matthew, AnnaLynne, Penelope, Veronica, Austin, Gunnar and Emerald; as well as many nieces and nephews and friends. The greatest gift that Dad taught us was kindness and service to others. In lieu of flowers please donate to: The Butch Kowal Foundation, Attn: M. Kowal, 1104 Midwood Drive, Rahway, NJ 07065 Click here to make a donation The Butch Kowal Foundation is dedicated to providing scholarships to graduating seniors at Rahway High School and neighboring towns, as well as contributing to local charities and organizations aimed at bettering the community. A viewing will be held on Sunday, June 29, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Lehrer Gibilisco Funeral Home located at 275 West Milton Avenue in Rahway, NJ. A Funeral Mass will begin at 10:00 am on Monday, June 30, 2025, at Divine Mercy Parish located at 232 Central Avenue in Rahway, NJ. Entombment will follow at St. Gertrude Cemetery located at 53 Inman Avenue in Colonia, NJ.