Anthony Nicholas

1933 - 2021

Anthony "Tony" Nicholas, 88, of Spring Church, passed away Friday, Aug. 13, 2021, at home surrounded by his loving family. Born May 29, 1933, in Vandergrift, he was a son of the late George Mavronicolas and Anna (Trikulis) Mavronicolas. Tony was a graduate of Vandergrift High School, Class of 1951, and received his bachelor's and master's degree in education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and his principal papers from Duquesne University. He proudly served our country with the Navy during the Korean War. Tony's teaching career began in 1962 at Vandergrift High School, where he taught for two years until the formation of Kiski Area High School, where he was a teacher, football coach and track coach. Tony was the assistant principal at Kiski Area High School from 1975 until his retirement in 1990. Tony was a founding member of the local chapter of the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees and was a founding member of the Kiski Area Sports Hall of Fame. Additional memberships include the Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church, Oakmont, American Legion Post No. 114, Vandergrift, VFW Post No. 566, Vandergrift, and George G. McMurtry Fire Department, Vandergrift. Tony was the caretaker of the former St. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, Vandergrift, and member and president of the Vandergrift Cemetery Board. He loved the outdoors. Tony liked fishing and hunting, and was a member of the NRA, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. He enjoyed going to his camp in the mountains and was a member of the 4-Mile Road Camp Club. Tony also enjoyed tinkering and woodworking. In addition to his parents, Tony was preceded in death by his brother, Peter Nicholas; sisters, Evangeline Tarasis and Eleni Yanouzas; and his goddaughter, Stephanie L. Nicholas. Tony is survived by his wife of 39 years, Deborah K. "Debbie" (Dando) Nicholas; sons, George S. (Beth) Nicholas, of Virginia, Mike A. (Susan) Nicholas, of Vandergrift, and John A. (Sally) Nicholas, of Washington Township; daughter, Debbie A. (Jack) Shipman, of Leechburg; grandchildren, Stephen, Danielle and Brian; four great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, August 16, 2021, at CURRAN-SHAFFER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES INC., 100 Owens View Ave., Apollo, PA 15613. A fireman's service will be held at 7 p.m. Monday with the Vandergrift Volunteer Firemen's Relief Association. Additional visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021, in the Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church, 12 Washington Ave., Oakmont, PA 15139. A funeral service will immediately follow at 11 a.m. in the church with the Very Rev. Father Polycarp Rameas officiating. Private interment will be in Vandergrift Cemetery at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Tony's memory to George G. McMurtry Fire Department, P.O. Box 6, Vandergrift, PA 15690, and Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014. To send an online condolence to the family, please visit www.curranfuneralhome.com.