Joseph Nicita

Joseph Nicita, a lifelong Staten Islander, passed away at Staten Island University Hospital on Saturday, December 3, 2022. He was 93 years old. Born one month before the stock market crashed in 1929 to Sicilian immigrants, Joseph, the sixth of eight children, was a jack of all trades in his early years, eventually settling into a long career as a draftsman in the water conditioning industry. He worked for the Permutit Company for over 25 years and, then, for Rexnord Industries until his retirement. He married Helen "Dee-Dee" Schultes on May 12, 1951, and they remained married for 63 years, until Dee-Dee�s death in 2014. Together they had three children: Michael, Linda, and Susan. Susan preceded Joseph and Dee-Dee in death. A lover of music, Joseph played trumpet as a young man until a collapsed lung suggested a different direction. Before vocal cord cancer restricted his range, he had a booming voice, which he lent to many a talent show at the newly established St. Charles Church, of which he was a founding member. His dedication to his faith was one of two central organizing principles of his adult life, the other being family. An avid amateur photographer, Joseph documented the lives of his family and friends long before that activity became fashionable, often serving as the unofficial photographer at family weddings, baptisms, confirmations, and communions. A firm believer in community, he delivered meals and companionship to shut-ins for years through the Meals on Wheels program. And he dispensed equivalent goodwill to his neighbors when, during snowstorms, he freely ran his snow blower up and down their sidewalks. Joseph will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his son, Michael Nicita, his daughter, Linda Nicita, his brother, Vincent Nicita, and his sister, Mary Cimler. A gathering of family and friends will take place on Thursday from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. at The John Vincent Scalia Home For Funerals, Inc. 28 Eltingville Blvd. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:15 a.m. on Friday at St. Charles Church. Following Mass Joseph will be laid to rest alongside his late wife and daughter in St. Peter's Cemetery.

Joseph Nicita

September 29, 1929 - December 3, 2022