Obituary of Anthony J. Nicholas

Tony Nicholas, 60, beloved husband for over 35 years of Linda MacKay Nicholas of Petersburg. Tony entered into eternal life at home with his family by his side following a brief illness on Tuesday, December 29, 2020.

Born in Troy, he is the son of his adoring mother Samia Bechara Nicholas and the late Michael J. Nicholas. He was educated at St. Paul’s School, LaSalle Institute and HVCC, until he took over the family business, Nicholas Distributors Inc., located in Troy and then moving the business to Menands NY. A natural born entrepreneur, Tony opened a number of businesses including Nicholas Auto Sales, Automotive Dealer Supplies, Mahinda Tractor Dealership, Nicholas Brothers Distribution, Nicholas Realty and recently merged into the Accessory Division of Polsinello Fuels in Rensselaer. Tony not only provided for his family but provided jobs for many in the community. His work was his passion which led to great relationships throughout his career.

There was never a time where Tony didn’t have a smile on his face. Along with his family, he enjoyed spending time at their camp on Chateaugay Lake. Tony was an avid outdoorsman with a passion for snowmobiling, boating, and whistling to music, or to no music at all. Tony loved his family, relatives, friends and those he became friends with along the way.

Tony and his Family are members of Our Lady of the Snow Church in Grafton and avid members of the Upta Camp Club at Chateuagay Lake.

In addition to Tony’s beloved wife Linda, his mother Samia and late father Michael, he is the dear son–in-law to Brust and Marilyn MacKay. Tony was the devoted father of triplets Anthony “AJ”, Andrew “Drew”, and Andrea Nicholas, beloved nephew of the late Joseph (Connie) Nicholas, cherished brother of Nancy (Michael) Baker, Daniel (Jill) Nicholas, Michael (Josephine) Nicholas, Ronald Nicholas, Joseph (Nicole) Nicholas and David (Yola) Nicholas, brother-in-law of Wesley MacKay, sisters-in-law Ellen Deets, Deanna MacKay(deceased), and Michael Deets. Adored Uncle Tony of Kyla (Will) Rushford, Mikel John Nicholas, Samia Baker, Michael Patrick Baker, the late Madison Marie Baker, Maxwell, Chelsea, Jeremy Nicholas, Kristina, Aaron Cirelli, Gisella and Joey Nicholas, Cinthia (Nathan) Atwater, Patricia (Seth) Trowbridge, Dana Deets (Joseph Chiera) and Kelly Deets and their families. Tony’s family also included Ann McGrath and the late John McGrath, who their children refer to as Grandma and Grandpa. John and Ann’s children; Kathleen (Dale) Smith and Maureen McGrath (Bob Gourlay). Jack (Patience) Pirofsky and Daniel (Cynthia) McCormick who he had been close with since childhood and had considered brothers. He is survived by his Uncle Joud (Georgette) Bechara of Australia, Aunt Isabel Bechara of Australia, Great Aunt Leila Nicholas and by many cousins, grand nieces, nephews, and friends who were all best friends and considered family.

Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Sunday, January 17, 2021 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the John J. Sanvidge Funeral Home, Inc., 565 Fourth Avenue (Corner of 115th Street in Lansingburgh) Troy, New York 12182.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial (limited to 35 in attendance for immediate family) will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Snow Church, 31 Owen Road, Grafton, NY 12082 and livestreamed for those not able to be in attendance by joining Zoom Meeting 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84340773370?pwd=S1A0ekJyQzlkQ3Y3NUpHUXBKcUdTUT09

Meeting ID: 843 4077 3370
Passcode: 0565 

Interment folowing the Mass will be held in St. Mary's Cemetery in Troy on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at approximately 12:15 p.m. and also available to be viewed by joining Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88517272393?pwd=NHJZbGpIa2JKelZiNWxGNnFDbHUyQT09

Meeting ID: 885 1727 2393
Passcode: 0565

Anyone who will be attending the Calling Hours, Funeral Mass or Interment in-person is required to adhere to current guidelines and wear a facial covering (mask), observe social distancing of six feet and understand that there are capacity limitations in the funeral home and in the Church. Even though the interement is held outdoors, the same must be observed.       

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are desired to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105, on-line at stjude.org or to LaSalle Institute, 174 Williams Rd, Troy, NY 12180, in memory of Anthony J. “Tony” Nicholas.

Please view Tony’s Video Memorial tribute, feel free to Share a Memory or express your on-line Condolences by using those tabs offerd  on this page.