Joseph C. Nicolella

Joseph Clement Nicolella, 98, of Washington, died Saturday, April 5, 2014, in Strabane Woods. He was born February 1, 1916, in Washington, a son of Antonio and Rose D’Allesandro Nicolella. Mr. Nicolella graduated from Washington High School.  Drafted into the Army on March 18, 1941, he was stationed at Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania, Camp Livingston, Louisiana, Camp Gordon, Florida and Camp Pickett, Virginia before embarking overseas from Boston in October 1943.  A member of the 28th Division’s Quartermaster Company, he saw action during the Battle of the Bulge and was among those separated from the outfit during the first days of that legendary battle.  He was awarded the American Defense Ribbon, European-African-Middle Eastern Service Ribbon and Good Conduct Medal.  After two and a half years overseas, seeing New York as he came up the Hudson River was a tremendous thrill for the PFC who was discharged October 15, 1945. Mr. Nicolella worked at Hazel Atlas and then at Jessop Steel, retiring in 1979 after 18 years of service. He was devoted to his children and loved dancing and listening to Frank Sinatra. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church and the Independent Club of Washington.  In addition, he was a 65-year member and the oldest living member of American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post 175. On November 25, 1945, he married Doris D. Suica, who died December 16, 2007. Surviving are a daughter, Roselyn (Lowell) Thomas of McMurray; a son, Joseph (Marla) Nicolella of Washington; a sister, Evelyn N. Cronin of Washington; five grandchildren, Jennifer (Vincent) Trapanotto, Matthew (Julia) Thomas, Katie (Michael) Garner, Jamie Nicolella and Jacob Nicolella; and four great-grandchildren, Chloe, Sophia, and Lucia Trapanotto, and Maeve Thomas. Deceased are two brothers, Patsy Nicolella and Carl Nicolella; three sisters, Angie Greco, Carmella Greco and Sue Falvo; and two infant siblings. Friends will be received Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 395 East Maiden Street, Washington.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Wednesday, April 9th, in Immaculate Conception Church.  Entombment will follow in Washington Cemetery.  Military rites will be accorded at the mausoleum by American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post 175. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to Viaquest Hospice, 612 Park Avenue, Monongahela, PA  15063.