Nicholas A. Ercolino

Pine Bush, NY

Nicholas A Ercolino of Pine Bush, NY, formerly of Middletown, NY, passed away on Good Friday, March 21, 2008 peacefully at New York Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, New York City. He was 81 years old.

Born in Jersey City, NJ, on September 27, 1926, he was the son on Francis and Anne Ercolino.

Nick served in the United States Army as a Sergeant in the Pacific and as part of the occupational forces in Japan during and after World War II. He worked as a Letter Carrier for the Postal Service delivering mail in Middletown for 37 years. He was also a Past President of the Middletown Letter Carriers Association for many years.

Nick was an active member of many organizations including the Middletown Chapter of the American Legion, Past County Commander of the American Legion for Orange County, Past Captain and 50+ year member of the McQuoids Engine Company of the Middletown Fire Department, a member of the B.P.O. Elks, Middletown Lodge 1097, Past Cub Master of Troop #67 in Middletown, and Past President of the Lehigh Acres Florida Senior Citizen Center, where he resided from 1985 - 2006. He was a communicant and member of the Knights of Columbus for Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Middletown for many years and recently of The Infant Savior Church, Pine Bush, NY.

Nick, Dad, was the Rock of our family, loved by many and respected by all that met him. He was a doer and a giver. Always busy planning something. His last mission was to help plan and build a Senior Citizen / Community Center in Pine Bush, the same task he completed in Lehigh Acres Florida years before. Sadly, there is a very big hole in our family's heart that will never be filled by the loss of Dad. Dad kept a very large hurt and broken heart to himself that will someday face God with. He was our heart, soul and conscience. Filling his shoes will be a very large challenge. He married Jeanne Catherine Masters on March 28, 1948 at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, who predeceased him on November 22, 2006.

He is survived by his four sons: Nicholas (Nick) A. Ercoline Jr. and his wife, Bobbi of Pine Bush, Wayne C. Ercoline and his wife, Cindy of Kila, MT, and Glen F. Ercolino of Pine Bush. Also surviving are his seven grandchildren: Elijah Ercolino of Boston, Shiloh Ramsay of Sand Pt., ID, Mathew and his wife, Michelle Ercoline of Boston, Luke Ercoline of Pine Bush, Lindsay, Lauren and Logan Ercolino of Marlboro, NY, and one great-grandchild, Seda of Sand Point, ID, and several nieces and nephews. His best friend and companion, Alvera Baedke of Pine Bush, also survives him.

Visitation will be at the William Gagan Funeral Home, 1525 Burlingham Rd., Pine Bush, NY, on Tuesday evening, March 25, from 6 – 9 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 26, at the Church of the Infant Savior, Pine Bush. Burial will follow at the Orange County Veterans Cemetery, Goshen, NY.

Flowers are welcome or donations in Nick's memory to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Inc., 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550.

Arrangements by the William M. Gagan Funeral Home, Inc., www.wmgaganfuneralhome.com or 845-744-6008.