Paul J. Nicholas

Mr. Paul J. Nicholas, 72, of Ridge Road, Broadalbin died peacefully on Sunday, November 6, 2016 at Albany Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. Born in Schenectady, New York on July 23, 1944, he was the son of the late Nicholas and Theresa Racko Nicholas. A lifelong area resident, Paul was a 1962 graduate of Mont Pleasant High School and went on to receive a full scholarship through the Schaffer Award to attend Siena College. Paul had a remarkable career with Sonoco Products Company which spanned 51 years from 1965 until 2016. He began working for Sonoco as a mill worker in the Amsterdam, NY paper mill and then progressed to Quality Control Supervisor, Paper Mill Superintendent to eventually become the Plant Manager. After officially retiring in 2000, Paul was asked to return to Sonoco on special assignment due to his vast operational knowledge and dedication. He worked another 16 years on special assignments in Bolton-Georgia, Lancaster-Ohio and most recently at Holyoke-Massachusetts. During that time he filled several different leadership positions from Plant Manager, Maintenance Supervisor, Mill Superintendent, Shift Supervisor and most recently Special Projects Manager. Throughout Paul's lengthy career, he took great pride in helping those around him be successful. He was particularly proud of the work he did during his time as Plant Manager when they were faced with plant closure. He obtained a NAFTA grant that enabled his employees to attend college, all expenses paid to learn a new trade and start a new career. Paul will always be remembered for the positive impact he had on others and his unconditional willingness to help. He loved Cape Cod vacations, music, playing his guitar, fly fishing, good food, great wine, and more than anything else he adored spending time with his family. Paul is survived by his wife, Joyce Mancini Nicholas; children, James Nicholas and his wife Felicia, Dr. Tamar Martin and her husband Raymond Martin, Patricia DeMallie and her husband Dr. Richard DeMallie, Christina Bollentin; his step children, Jesse Smith and Kurt Smith; grandchildren Cassandra Nicholas, Abigail Bollentin, Jessica Nicholas, Claire Bollentin, Karina DeMallie; his siblings, Peter Nicholas, Susan Nicholas and Gary Brock, Mark Nicholas and his wife Denise Nicholas, Nancy Nicholas and her husband Ralph Blackwood, Thomas Nicholas and his wife Ruthe Nicholas, Raymond Nicholas and Sonja Nicholas; his former wife, Jean Krutz Nicholas; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 11, 2016 at 11a.m. at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam with the Rev. O. Robert DeMartinis officiating. Burial will follow in the Broadalbin- Mayfield Rural Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Thursday evening from 4 until 7p.m. at the funeral home. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, please consider donating in Paul's memory to the Ecumenical Food Pantry, 67 North Main Street, Broadalbin, NY 12025. Please visit the online memorial at www.brbsfuneral.com