NICOTRI, James

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, Arizona - Published Monday, December 31, 2007 - James Nicotri, 82, passed away Sunday, Dec. 30, 2007, in Lake Havasu City with his family at his bedside. Jim, as he was known to his friends and family, was born May 23, 1925, in Brooklyn, N.Y. to Nardino and Calogera (DeMaria) Nicotri. Following high school and the Brooklyn Automotive Trade School, Jim joined the United States Army serving for four years. During his military service, Jim married Elayne Cornell on Jan. 26, 1946, in Mt. Vernon, N.Y.; a marriage that lasted until Elayne passed away on Oct. 18, 1999. Jim worked for Hills Supermarket in Brentwood, N.Y. for 24 years. In 1978 Jim and Elayne moved to Lake Havasu City to build their new home on land they had purchased a few years before. They both worked at the EZ-8 managing the motel from 1978 to 1988 until they both retired to enjoy life together. Jim was an active member of the DAV, VFW and Knights of Columbus, where he was a fourth Degree Knight. He was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Roman Catholic Church; was an usher for Saturday afternoon Mass, volunteered in the church soup kitchen and assisted with the Knights of Columbus Bingo. Jim is survived by his daughter, Christina (Ken) Gildersleeve, of San Jacinto, Calif.; son, Leonard (Camille) Nicotri, of Allen, Texas; grandchildren, Melissa Gildersleeve and James (Julie) Gildersleeve, all of California, Janine, Danielle and Cheri Lynn Nicotri, all of Texas; and great granddaughter, Caitlin Gildersleeve; his sister Fran (Tom) Bova, of New York; brother, Russell (Marilyn) Nicotri, of North Carolina; brother-in-law, Joe Cotti, of Florida; sister-in-law, Lillian Nicotri, of South Carolina; his dear friend and companion, Charlotte Van Nierop, of Lake Havasu City; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends here in Lake Havasu. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday with Rosary at 7 p.m. at Lietz-Fraze Chapel. The Knights of Columbus will perform the presentation of the Chalice service at 12:30 p.m. at Our Lady of the Lake Roman Catholic Church with funeral mass to follow at 1 p.m. with Father Mike Ashibuogwu officiating. Burial and military honors will follow at Lake Havasu Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Our Lady of the Lake Soup Kitchen, 1975 Daytona Ave., Lake Havasu City, AZ 864030 or Hospice of Havasu, PO Box 597, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86405. Thoughts and condolences may be submitted to the family at www.lietz-frazefuneralhome.com. Arrangements were entrusted to Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home and Crematory.