Michael C. Nicolai

1954 - 2022

Sept. 7, 1954 - Aug. 25, 2022 Michael died at his home in Rancho Mirage, California and was pre-deceased by his parents Edith and Michael Nicolai. He is survived by a cousin Barbara Mannino, his god-daughter Erica Cenci and numerous friends on Staten Island, and in New York, New Jersey and California. A native Staten Islander, Mike was a long time member of St Rita's parish, and was a graduate of Msgr. Farrell and St John's University, before getting his law degree from New York Law School, graduating in the top percentile of his class. Starting his career at Johnson & Higgins, which became a part of Marsh & McLennan, he held numerous senior positions, including Head of FINPRO Claims, and FINPRO Senior Claims Advocate. Following a long and distinguished career at Marsh, he joined insurer Berkley Professional Liability company as the Head of Claims and then became Chief Legal Counsel. Mike was still working in that latter role when he passed away. He enjoyed the Jersey Shore, living in Spring Lake for a few years before returning to Staten Island and then moving to California 4 years ago, first to Palm Dessert and then to Rancho Mirage. A life-long Yankees fan who rode motorcycles, he loved books, music, and travelling to Italy. Mike was also a passionate cook, preparing and hosting dinner parties for friends with fine wines and Sinatra playing in the background. A funeral mass will be held 9AM October 1, at St. Catharine's Church in Spring Lake, NJ, followed by burial at St Anne's Cemetery in Wall Township, NJ.