Nicholas G. Giancola 1932-2023

Nick was born Nov. 29, 1932, in Struthers, son of Diamante and Amalia Dechellis Giancola. He was a 1951 graduate of Struthers High School, where he played the drums in band. He took his love of music even further by playing the accordion in his younger years for the infamous Johnie Butchko Polka Band. Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy for four years, from 1951 to 1955, serving on the USS Power 839.

When his time was over in the military, he worked for several different companies, including Ohio Bell and as the manager of Lincoln Knolls Bowling Lanes before working for General Motors in Lordstown for 27 years in the line assembly before he retired in 1997.

He was an active member of Christ Our Savior Parish, St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church in Struthers, where he was the senior Eucharistic minister for many years, and also announced at their weekly bingo games.

Everyone in Struthers knew Nick’s face and his house was always the place to be, as he was often hosting frequent family gatherings or telling one of his tall tales just to get a smile. He was a jack of all trades, and his tools of choice were always duct tape and WD-40.

In his spare time, he was an avid bowler, music lover and he enjoyed gardening and canning. He especially enjoyed dancing with the love of his life, Doris, at Avon Oaks and Point View, and cherished spending time with his grandkids. He will truly be missed.

He leaves behind to cherish memories of him, his loving wife of almost 64 years, the former Doris Mays, whom he married Oct. 31, 1959; his children, Keith (Robin) Giancola of Lowellville, David (Lori) Giancola of Struthers, Lisa (Jeff) Janci of Poland and Carla (Alan) Atkinson of Fishers, Ind.; his grandchildren, Melinda (Jose) Avellaneda, Madeline (Jordan) Banks, Nicholas Giancola, Allison (Anthony) Cycyk, Carly Giancola, David Giancola and Barbara Atkinson; great-grandchildren, Luccia Cycyk, Charles Cycyk and Peyton Banks; and his sisters, Virginia “Dolly” (Nick) Romansik and Lucenta “Susie” Thomas.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Antonio Giancola; and a son-in-law, Alan Atkinson.

Friends may call 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 9, 2023, at Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home in Poland, and 10 to 10:50 a.m. Monday, July 10, 2023, at Christ Our Savior Parish at St. Nicholas Church, followed immediately by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., celebrated by the Rev. Philip Rogers.

He will be laid to rest in St. John the Baptist Cemetery in Coitsville, where military honors will be rendered in honor of his service to our country.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Darla McCool and Glenn Bohrer, who assisted with his care, along with the compassionate support from the Hospice House in his time of need.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any material contributions be made to a charity of your choice, in celebration of the long and wonderful life Nick had.

And in the words of Nick Giancola, “Whatever.”

Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send the family condolences.

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