William (Bill) Nicolai

World War II Veteran and retired Foreign Service Officer of the U.S. Dept. of State, Agency for International Development (USAID) Washington, D.C., went to be with the Lord on August 31, 2019 at age 97.

He is survived by his son, William A. (Peggy) of Indianapolis, IN; three daughters, Amanda Hasemeier (Robert) of New Cumberland, Kathryn Nicolai (Cookie) of Raleigh, NC, and Annette Nicolai of New Cumberland; a brother, Frank Nicolai (Mary) of El Paso, TX; eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Born in Hanover, NM on December 24, 1921, he was the son of the late Charles and Amanda (Hinsley) Nicolai.

Prior to serving in the 13th U.S. Army Air Corps, South Pacific Command, where he attained the rank of Master Sergeant, he graduated from Hurley High School, Hurley, New Mexico. Following his military service, he attended South Western University, Los Angeles, CA and worked for the VA Hospitals in New Mexico and Indiana as Assistant Finance Officer pending his appointment as a Foreign Service Officer with USAID. Bill’s association with USAID and predecessor agencies in Latin American countries (Haiti, Costa Rica, Chile, Nicaragua, Argentina and Colombia) was as Assistant Director for Management for the USAID Missions. His final assignment was in Washington, D.C. In retirement, he continued to work for USDA and various small firms doing accounting services.

Following retirement, Bill was active with numerous community and faith-based organizations. He was an active member of St. Theresa Catholic Church, New Cumberland and the Knights of Columbus Council 8921, New Cumberland. He delivered meals-on-wheels. He served on the Board of Directors of Asia Alive Ministries and volunteered for nine years at the Camp Hill State Correctional Institution as the Coordinator of the drug and alcohol program for Hispanic inmates; served with Colonial Park United Methodist Church Costa Rican Medical and Dental Team as an interpreter for the American doctors and nurses administering medical assistance to Costa Ricans. Bill was a member of the Board of Directors for the Youth Advocate Programs Inc., Thomas Jefferson Endowment Fund, Endowment Fund and National Movement for the Children Of The Street Guatemala which is a sister agency of the Advocate Program.

Bill liked traveling, playing softball and was an avid tennis player (eighty years) and a ballroom dancer. He traveled with the softball team to various U.S. cities and also to the U.K. In tennis, he played in various state and national Senior Tournaments. He was a recipient of many gold, silver and bronze medals. The highlight, National Senior Games in Houston, is where he was awarded the gold medal at age 90 for men’s tennis doubles and the silver medal for men’s tennis singles.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Friday, September 6, 2019 at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 1300 Bridge Street, New Cumberland. Burial with military honors will be at Ft. Indiantown Gap National Cemetery at a later date, to be laid to rest next to his wife, Frances (d. 2001).

Visitation will be held Thursday, September 5, from 5 to 7 PM at Parthemore Funeral Home & Cremation Services, New Cumberland.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested for the Youth Advocate Program, 2007 N. Third St., Harrisburg, PA 17102; St. Theresa Parish, 1300 Bridge St., New Cumberland, PA 17070; or Homeland Hospice, 2300 Vartan Way, STE 270, Harrisburg, PA 17110, who graciously cared for Dad during his last weeks of life.

For more information, or to send messages of condolence, please visit www.parthemore.com.