Nicholas Jack DiChiaro Jr.

Nicholas Jack DiChiaro Jr.
March 6, 1944 ~ January 3, 2023
Newburgh, NY
Nicholas Jack DiChiaro, Jr., devoted husband, father, brother, cousin, grandfather, and great-grandfather finished his race here in this life at 1:58 a.m. on January 3, 2023.
Nicholas Jack DiChiaro, Jr. was born March 6, 1944 to Marguerite Ruggiero DiChiaro of Newburgh, NY and Nicholas Jack DiChiaro Sr., of Benkard Avenue, Heights-Newburgh, NY. Mr. DiChiaro Sr. was Navy Seaman First Class, who served with distinction on USS Mount Hood, and died in an explosion off the Admiralty Islands (Manus) on 10/11/1944. Mr. DiChiaro Sr. was a brother in the Operating Engineers and a Golden Gloves Boxer, NYC, before his early death and never met his son, Nicholas Jack DiChiaro Jr.
Nicholas Jack DiChiaro, Jr. was raised with his Grandparents, Angelina and Joseph Ruggiero, along with his mother Marguerite and her siblings James, Albert, Francis, John, Michael, Rudy, Joseph, Elizabeth, Louise, and Theresa Jean, in their home on Washington Street, Newburgh, NY. He also spent significant time with his DiChiaro family in Duck Town, New Windsor, NY - Vincent and Theresa DiChiaro, Ralph and Mary Ruggiero, and Vincent and Rose DeFabio.
Nicholas was known for his musical ability from early childhood, reading and writing music before he went to school. His famous melody was 'The Sharp-Shooters March' from memory, followed closely by his mother's favorite 'Spanish Eyes', and 'Your Cheating Heart'. He competed for a spot on the Ted Mackey Amateur Hour for TV. As a young child he caused awe with his ability to play an accordion that was almost bigger than him, and routinely competed in events, and earned money playing requests for family and crowds at local events.
Nicholas went on to loving speed skating at Delano-Hitch rink in winters, and attended Newburgh Free Academy. Nicholas served in the US NAVY, Norfolk, VA, and was a competitive boxer like his father while there. Nicholas was well known in the Newburgh area for motorcycle and drag racing, with his daughter remembering the work on his purple Yanko Camaro for the drag strip. He raced mainly at Lebanon Valley, but frequented city streets, namely Broadway, leaving his mark there as well, turning in the '11s'.
Nicholas was a competitive Archer for the Black Rock Fish and Game Club, AAA Team, was an avid hunter, and recalled his best archery accomplishment as a full bearded wild turkey, that is preserved in his home. Family memories of crabbing, deep sea, stream and ice fishing, with snowmobile sleigh rides across the lake just for us kids! No matter what the catch was, his special occasion secret recipe 'Clams Oreganata' from the Glenwood Restaurant (Newburgh) became his signature dish!
Nicholas snow skied slalom gates in the Tavern Owners League, for the "Bud Specialists Team" at Mt. Peters, Monroe, NY. He Scuba dived, played in bowling leagues, and generally excelled at anything he tried.
Nicholas was infamously known on the Hudson River for his Webbcraft off-shore boat, aptly named "Relentless'.
Nicholas learned stone masonry from his uncles. He worked on famous sites at West Point, and then for his own business here in Hudson Valley with countless homes and structures where his work stands as his forever testimony. He was known for his integrity, work ethic and perfectionism. He was a mentor to many, but tough to work to for, in the best way possible! He operated numerous pieces of heavy equipment and taught his daughters and grandson Nicky the same, in addition to reading blueprints and construction work, which they carry on today.
The pride of his home was his vegetable garden, until he replaced it with a pool for his granddaughter Nicole! He loved the 'Asteroids' video game, his can of beer, morning hazelnut coffee, a brandy flask when skiing, and the evening tomato with sopressata / pepperoni antipasto, to watch some Bonanza.
The overshadowing competitive love of his adult life was Golf. He was dragged to lessons by his daughter because she didn't want to go alone, and another family sport was born! His rounds at local courses, father and son tournaments with his grandson and spending time with his grandchildren in summer clinics were some of his most bragged of memories! Only to be matched with organ playing time with his newest Great-Grandson Jameson!
Nicholas Jack DiChiaro Jr is survived by his wife of almost 58 years Louise M. Sledzianowski DiChiaro, his Daughters Marguerite DiChiaro, and Maridanielle DiChiaro Annicchiarico, his Grandchildren Nicole Callahan, Nicholas DePalma, Arriana, Sophia and Gianni Annicchiarico, Great-grandchildren Gabrielle Colon, Jameson Jack Callahan and numerous cousins. He was pre-deceased by his brother Philip DiChiaro of Florida.
Nicholas leaves behind a legacy of love, devotion, courage, relentless will-power and family, that will carry his memories and ethics forever. We love you dad, rest now, you won your race, we've got this!! Noi vogliamo ti bene assai sempre xoxox
Visitation will be held from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, January 8 at Brooks Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave., Newburgh, with military honors and service to he held at 4 p.m.