Nicholas R. Felice

1927 - 2021

Nicholas R. Felice

Mahwah - Nicholas R. Felice, 94, of Mahwah passed away on August 24, 2021. Formerly of Fair Lawn, born in Passaic in 1927, Nick is predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Vivian C. (formerly Micciche), his three sons, wives and grandchildren: Paul (Shirley and Thomas, Steven), John (Janet and Nicholas, Cassandra and Austin), Robert (Patricia and Andrea, Anna) and his nephew, Edward, and his wife and son (Wanda and Eric).

A graduate of Passaic High School and the RCA Institute of Technology (Radio Broadcasting), Nick earned a BS degree in Electrical Engineering from Fairleigh Dickenson University.

He is an Army veteran of WWII, having served in the Pacific as a T/Sgt. Communications Chief, 24th Division, U.S. Army. Also, a Life Member of V.F.W. Post 281; American Legion Post 171 and recipient of the Achievement Award from the Department of New Jersey V.F.W.

Professionally, Nick was a Chief Engineer and Vice President for over 35 years with Smith-Meeker Engineering Co., a nationally recognized engineering consulting firm involving all types of electronic and radio engineering, located in NYC and NJ's Teterboro Airport. Early in his career, he lived and worked for oil companies in Arabia, Sumatra, Java and South America as a consulting Radio Engineer. Also, he was in charge of the Teterboro Airport Aviation Division for over 20 years, responsible for avionic systems for all types of corporate aviation jet air craft. During the early days of the US Space Program, Nick was on loan to NASA and its radio broadcasting pool and was part of the Project Mercury Space Recover Team.

A lifelong public servant and volunteer, Nicholas served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1982 to 2002. During his tenure, he served as Speaker Pro Tempore, Deputy Speaker, Assistant Majority Leader and Chairman of the Legislative Service Commission. He also served on key legislative committees including Health, Labor and Environmental and introduced many pieces of meaningful legislation including New Jersey Healthcare Insurance Reform (lauded by Governor Thomas Kean); Drug Free School Zones; Spinal Cord Research; Funding for Infantile Autism; Health Information Network Technology Legislation and protective legislation for Seniors, Nursing Homes and the Disabled. In 2000, he received the Outstanding New Jersey Legislator's Award at a national conference.

On a lighter note, during the 1983 holiday season, Assemblyman Felice, was applauded by the media, including the New York Times, for cheerfully answering many errant calls from children who were looking to speak to Santa Clause. As it turned out, the legislator's office phone number and the "Santa Hot Line" were only off by one digit! But Nick didn't complain, as he was glad to be other "St. Nick" until the snafu could be corrected.

A former Mayor and councilman of Fair Lawn where he lived for over 50 years, he also served as a member of the Planning Board; Local Assistance Board; Youth Advisory Board; Senior Citizens Board; All Sports Association; Holiday Celebrations Committee; Rent Leveling Board and President of the Cosmos Club, Director of Rotary and Clean Government Association of Fair Lawn.

Civically, he also served as member of the Board of Trustees of Bergen Community College; the Paramus Boys Club; American Cancer Society of Bergen County; Laryngectomee Association of Bergen County; Co-founder and President of the Fair Lawn Opportunity; Fair Lawn Mental Health Center; Advisory Board for the Passaic Valley Sewage Commission; Fair Lawn Health Board; President of the Bergen County Republican Mayors Association and Chairman of District 40 Legislative County Committee. Also, member of St. Anne's Parish and Knight of Columbus #2853 and Fair Lawn's Republican Club and County Committee.

Most recently, he served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Children's Aid and Family Services and is a recipient of their Individual Leadership Award and later, their Building Future Award, in recognition of his lifelong advocacy on behalf of the disenfranchised and needy. He also served on the board of the New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame & Museum in Teterboro and the Adler Aphasia Board in Maywood.

A Funeral Mass is planned for Friday, August 27, 2021, 10:30 AM at St. Anne R.C. Church, 15-05 St. Anne Street, Fair Lawn, NJ. A private family interment will follow.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity. Arrangements are being handled by Vander Plaat-Caggiano Funeral Home, Fair Lawn, vpfairlawn.com.