Charles E. “Chuck” Nicholas passed away on December 18th after a long illness, surrounded by his loving family. Seldom has a man displayed truer grit in the face of continual medical adversity. He was 72.
Born in 1938 in Endicott, NY he was the son of the late Christopher and Mary (Como) Nicholas.
Chuck grew up working in his family’s grocery store, Nicholas Market, and graduated from Union-Endicott High School in 1956. He graduated from Rider College in Lawrenceville, New Jersey in 1960 with a degree in Business Administration — the first member of his family to do so — where he became a member of Kappa Phi Fraternity. At Rider he met the love of his life, Judith Poole Bitler, with whom he shared 49 years of loving marriage. God blessed him with a truly devoted and loving wife.
From college Chuck was drafted into the U.S. Navy, where he served from1960-62 aboard the U.S.S. Allagash — “the pipeline of the seas” — which allowed him to see the world.
Following his honorable discharge he began a 26-year career with Goodall Rubber Company in Trenton, NJ as a Personnel Assistant. He rose to become their Senior Vice President of Labor Relations and Human Resources worldwide. After Goodall Rubber, he was hired as Director of Labor Relations for IMO Industries, a Fortune 500 company in Lawrenceville, New Jersey.
For the past 15 years he co-owned Bucks County Concrete technology with his neighbor and friend Ron Greene. Their motto was “So much concrete, so little time”.
Chuck served both his home and work communities in many capacities as a founding member of the Mercer County Chapter of the Industrial Research Association, a member of the Delaware Valley Personnel Association, a certified executive of the American Society of Personnel Administration, Rider College Alumni Association, and the Board of Directors of the Camp Fire Girls. He also served as the only Republican member of the Bristol Township School Board in the mid 1970’s. In 1997 Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge appointed him to the state’s Unemployment Compensation Advisory Board.
Chuck was happiest working in his garden and loved nothing better than cooking for his family and friends.
A loving family man, he is survived by his wife, Judith, and two sons, Christopher of Harrisburg, PA, and Matthew of Bedminster, PA, their wives Christal and April, and five grandchildren: Carson, Tucker, Adrianna, Maria and Francesca. He is also survived by two brothers-in-law, Mikel and Peter Krauss, their spouses, nieces, nephews and many wonderful cousins and family who will remember him with enduring affection.
His family would like to express their gratitude to the many care givers who worked with Chuck at Doylestown Hospital, Neshaminy Manor, Chandler Hall, and Bayada Nurses as well as his long time physician and friend, Dr. Andrew Krick. Not to be forgotten is the love and support received from caring friends and neighbors.
His family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday, December 22, 2010 from 10:30 AM until his Funeral Service 11:30 AM at Trinity Episcopal Church, 2631 Durham Road Buckingham, PA 18912. His interment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.