Obituary of Edward C. Nicolazzo

Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Avenue Denville, New Jersey 07834 (973) 627-1880 Daily Record 1x Saturday 1-8-2011 Star Ledger 1x Saturday 1-8-2011 Neighbor news Edward Charles Nicolazzo, 85, passed away on New Year’s Day 2011 at Saint Clare's Hospital in Denville, NJ. Ed was born on August 7, 1925 in Kane, PA. He was the son of a prominent Kane businessman Francesco Nicolazzo and his wife Nicoletta Fragale Nicolazzo. He attended St Bonaventure College and worked as a window dresser at Sears. During the summers, he also worked on as a longshoreman on a boat on Lake Erie as well as in his father’s bar in Kane, Pa. In 1945 Ed also served in the army guarding the Panama Canal. Ed married an Opera Singer, Mary Nicolazzo in 1958 and the new family moved to New York City to pursue their artistic endeavors. Ed had won a scholarship to the Arts Students League in NYC where he became an impressive fine artist specializing in modern abstract oil painting. In 1962 he had a daughter Rachel and shortly thereafter the family moved to Denville where Ed became a significant figure in the Arts Community in Denville. He taught Art at School St School in Boonton and showed his art work in many shows in the Morris County area. During the 1970's Ed was mostly a devoted father and teacher. He encouraged his daughter by teaching her to play the piano, to listen to Miles Davis and to further study jazz piano. He guided her musical career from New England Conservatory of Music to International Music Festivals, attending many concerts internationally and often contributing to the production of shows. In 1980, an ATT executive saw Ed’s portfolio and handpicked him to work at ATT Graphics Department in Morristown, NJ, The department needed his fine hand as well as his ideas for using the computer to create art for advertising. From 1985-2008 Ed Nicolazzo lived his dream of working in the Barn Theatre with Director Jay Mills-as a set designer and painter. He contributed countless hours to over 100 plays during this time and his talent, generosity and kindness became a cornerstone of this community. He always had time for a talk or to encourage a friend. He has been called an angel by many several residents of Denville because of his giving nature. In addition to his community service in the Arts at the Barn and at Denville Historical Society, Ed developed an unusual and completely original style of abstract modern collage. These works have been sold to many prominent musicians and celebrities and are shown in galleries in NYC and Brooklyn. Ed was a loyal and loving husband and father. He will be remembered as “an ideal” to strive for. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass of Christian Burial service on Monday Jan. 10th at 10:30am at St. Mary’s Church Denville, NJ. Funeral arrangements thru Norman Dean Home for Services Denville, NJ www.normandean.com, (please light a candle in memory of Ed on web site).