Obituary for Joseph S. Nicpon
MENANDS – Joseph S. Nicpon, age 94, entered into eternal life on Sunday, October 24, 2021, at Albany Medical Center, after a brief illness, with his loving children at his side.
Born in Albany on December 4, 1926, he was the son of the late John and Agnes (Skrzyniarz) Nicpon. Joe was predeceased by his beloved wife, Rhea O’Neill Nicpon, of 54 years. Following their marriage in 1956 they settled in Menands where Joe continued to live independently up until his passing.
Joe is survived by his two daughters Gerrie Sylofski and her husband Ed of Melbourne, Florida, and Darlene Maloney, whose late husband was Joe, of Latham, New York; six grandchildren, Michael (Dawn) Sylofski of Gansevoort, NY, David (Carla) Sylofski of New York, NY, Stephen Sylofski of New York, NY, Diane Sylofski (Ryan) Ehlers of Omaha, NE, Joseph Maloney of Latham, NY and Kevin Maloney of Latham, NY; six great-grandchildren, Maegan Sylofski, Charlie, Victoria, and Teddy Sylofski, Henry and Lydia Ehlers; brother to the late Andrew Nicpon, Sister Mary Cecilia, C.R., Stanley Nicpon, Rose Grabowski and Helen Kunikowski; cherished uncle of many dear nieces and nephews.
Joe was educated in Albany, and upon graduating from Albany High School, enlisted in the United States Navy, serving in the Pacific Theatre in World War II. He was in the Amphibious Corps (1944 – 1946) as boat commander coxswain, U.S. Navy Task Force - 77, on the USS LST 741. He participated in 20 invasions, including the Battle of Leyte Gulf (October 1944) the largest naval battle in history, shooting down five enemy aircraft. He was awarded six bronze stars for valor, a citation with two medals from the Philippine Government - the Philippine Liberation Medal and Philippine Independence Medal. Other awards include the U.S. Navy Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, and the VFW WWII Victory Medal.
After the service, Joe attended night school to earn a mechanical engineering degree while working at Simmons Machine Shop in Menands as a tool, die and gauge maker. He was then employed by the U.S. Naval Depot in Scotia as an inspector and toolmaker, where he received a commendation from the U.S. Navy. In 1954, Joe began work at the Watervliet Arsenal, where he held many positions including methods department planner and production controller. Joe concluded his career with the federal government as a procurement officer, and was awarded a commendation from the U.S. Army upon his retirement in 1985 after 30 years of service.
Joe was active in the American Bowling Association for 40 years. He was an accomplished bowler who competed in many bowling tournaments with the Capital City Classic League. He loved to play golf, learning the game when he was a caddie as a young boy. Joe played golf for many years and hit a hole-in-one on September 8, 1986. He was a self-taught artist who was invited to display his artwork at St. Agnes Cemetery Art Gallery. Joe was a deeply religious man and a communicant and usher at St. Joan of Arc Church. He was past-commander of VFW Post 5989 in Menands and is a life member of VFW Post 729 in Watervliet.
Joe was deeply devoted to his family, friends, church and country. He loved a good conversation, a great book, the outdoors (fishing, swimming, camping), tending to his garden, helping with any house project if you needed help, and being available for his family and friends. His family will miss this special Renaissance man who brought them so much knowledge, creativity, wisdom, guidance and fun.
In later years, Joe humbly shared his war experiences with veterans groups and historians. A video interview of Joe recounting his WWII Naval experiences can be found at the New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center at the Veteran’s Oral History Project https://museum.dmna.ny.gov/research/oral-history-project/oral-history-program-veteran-interviews.
A funeral Mass for Joe will be celebrated on Friday, November 5, 2021 at 10 am in St. Joan of Arc Church in Menands. The Rite of Committal, military honors and interment will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands where Joe will be buried next to his wife Rhea. Friends are invited to attend all services and may also visit with Joe’s family on Thursday, November 4, 2021 from 4 until 8 pm at the Bowen & Parker Bros. Funeral Home, 97 Old Loudon Road, Latham.
Memorial contributions, in memory of Joseph S. Nicpon, may be made to: St. Joan of Arc Church, 76 Menand Rd., Menands, NY 12204 or Wounded Warrior Project, PO BOX 758516, Topeka, KS 66675 https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org.
Born in Albany on December 4, 1926, he was the son of the late John and Agnes (Skrzyniarz) Nicpon. Joe was predeceased by his beloved wife, Rhea O’Neill Nicpon, of 54 years. Following their marriage in 1956 they settled in Menands where Joe continued to live independently up until his passing.
Joe is survived by his two daughters Gerrie Sylofski and her husband Ed of Melbourne, Florida, and Darlene Maloney, whose late husband was Joe, of Latham, New York; six grandchildren, Michael (Dawn) Sylofski of Gansevoort, NY, David (Carla) Sylofski of New York, NY, Stephen Sylofski of New York, NY, Diane Sylofski (Ryan) Ehlers of Omaha, NE, Joseph Maloney of Latham, NY and Kevin Maloney of Latham, NY; six great-grandchildren, Maegan Sylofski, Charlie, Victoria, and Teddy Sylofski, Henry and Lydia Ehlers; brother to the late Andrew Nicpon, Sister Mary Cecilia, C.R., Stanley Nicpon, Rose Grabowski and Helen Kunikowski; cherished uncle of many dear nieces and nephews.
Joe was educated in Albany, and upon graduating from Albany High School, enlisted in the United States Navy, serving in the Pacific Theatre in World War II. He was in the Amphibious Corps (1944 – 1946) as boat commander coxswain, U.S. Navy Task Force - 77, on the USS LST 741. He participated in 20 invasions, including the Battle of Leyte Gulf (October 1944) the largest naval battle in history, shooting down five enemy aircraft. He was awarded six bronze stars for valor, a citation with two medals from the Philippine Government - the Philippine Liberation Medal and Philippine Independence Medal. Other awards include the U.S. Navy Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, and the VFW WWII Victory Medal.
After the service, Joe attended night school to earn a mechanical engineering degree while working at Simmons Machine Shop in Menands as a tool, die and gauge maker. He was then employed by the U.S. Naval Depot in Scotia as an inspector and toolmaker, where he received a commendation from the U.S. Navy. In 1954, Joe began work at the Watervliet Arsenal, where he held many positions including methods department planner and production controller. Joe concluded his career with the federal government as a procurement officer, and was awarded a commendation from the U.S. Army upon his retirement in 1985 after 30 years of service.
Joe was active in the American Bowling Association for 40 years. He was an accomplished bowler who competed in many bowling tournaments with the Capital City Classic League. He loved to play golf, learning the game when he was a caddie as a young boy. Joe played golf for many years and hit a hole-in-one on September 8, 1986. He was a self-taught artist who was invited to display his artwork at St. Agnes Cemetery Art Gallery. Joe was a deeply religious man and a communicant and usher at St. Joan of Arc Church. He was past-commander of VFW Post 5989 in Menands and is a life member of VFW Post 729 in Watervliet.
Joe was deeply devoted to his family, friends, church and country. He loved a good conversation, a great book, the outdoors (fishing, swimming, camping), tending to his garden, helping with any house project if you needed help, and being available for his family and friends. His family will miss this special Renaissance man who brought them so much knowledge, creativity, wisdom, guidance and fun.
In later years, Joe humbly shared his war experiences with veterans groups and historians. A video interview of Joe recounting his WWII Naval experiences can be found at the New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center at the Veteran’s Oral History Project https://museum.dmna.ny.gov/research/oral-history-project/oral-history-program-veteran-interviews.
A funeral Mass for Joe will be celebrated on Friday, November 5, 2021 at 10 am in St. Joan of Arc Church in Menands. The Rite of Committal, military honors and interment will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands where Joe will be buried next to his wife Rhea. Friends are invited to attend all services and may also visit with Joe’s family on Thursday, November 4, 2021 from 4 until 8 pm at the Bowen & Parker Bros. Funeral Home, 97 Old Loudon Road, Latham.
Memorial contributions, in memory of Joseph S. Nicpon, may be made to: St. Joan of Arc Church, 76 Menand Rd., Menands, NY 12204 or Wounded Warrior Project, PO BOX 758516, Topeka, KS 66675 https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org.