HUDSON FALLS – Nicoletta “Nickie” Piscitelli, 91, of Maple Street, passed away peacefully in her sleep Saturday, October 19, 2013, at her home.
Born December 16, 1921 in the Fenimore, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Vincenza (Sciancalepore) Battiste.
Nickie owned and operated Mike’s Grocery from 1941 to today. She was famous for her May Baskets and penny candy. Generations of school kids would travel miles to see Nickie and enjoy her candy.
She was a communicant of St. Mary’s St Paul’s Church. Her store was her life.
Besides her parents and her husband Michael, Nickie is predeceased by a daughter, Maria Vincenza Piscitelli and a brother, Carl Battiste.
Survivors include her children, Anthony Piscitelli and his wife, Marcy of Saratoga Springs, Teresa Piscitelli Dickinson and her husband, Peter of Glens Falls, Mary Vincenza Yoshimoto and Jeff McNeil of Hudson Falls; her grandchildren, Kathryn Piscitelli Frank, Michael Piscitelli, Steven Piscitelli, Michele Dickinson Wescott, Christopher Dickinson, Dean Yoshimoto and Kristy Brennan; her great grandchildren, Zachary Frank, Nicholas Frank, Evan Piscitelli, Allison Piscitelli, Taylor Wescott, Jayce Dickinson, Madyson and McKenna Brennan, Eddie and Baxter Yoshimoto, her brother and sisters, Phillip Battiste and his wife , Grace of Hudson Falls, Mary Cortese of Hudson Falls, Rose McKenna and her husband, Ted of Binghamton; as well as many nieces nephews and cousins.
Family and friends may call on Wednesday, October 23, 2013, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc. 68 Main Street, Hudson Falls.
A funeral mass will be conducted on Thursday, October 24, 2013, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s St Paul’s Church, on the park in Hudson Falls with the Rev Thomas Babiuch, pastor, officiating.
The Rite of Committal will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Fort Edward.
Donations in memory of Nickie may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Nickie will miss all of her special friends, big and small, you know who you are!
Anthony, Teresa and Mary,
I was saddened to hear of your mom’s passing. I have many memories of her and your dad. I will always remember her strength and her giving heart. Hudson Falls lost a wonderful resident.
I hope that knowing of the kind of life she lived will give you comfort in knowing that she is with her Father in heaven. Nothing can take the place of a mother. My best to you all.
Tony
To all of Nick’s family my sympathy and sadness for your loss! She was 1 of a kind!!! Love you all, Birdie XO
Nickie,
For years when I was a kid, you were the only person around that I would buy penny candy from. You were the sweetest person I knew outside of my family. You will sorely be missed by countless kids and adults.
Mike and Family,
So sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one. May her memories always be with you.
Colleen James
A truly wonderfull woman. It was like having a second mother when we were all growing up and hanging around the store. The May Baskets will not be forgotten. May she rest in the peace of the Lord for she is without a doubt in Heaven. The world needs more “Nickie’s”.
Nickie was part of my generation’s memories of old Hudson Falls when we patronized the family owned grocery stores and bought our clothes and shoes on Main St. She refused to let the old traditions go, determined to hold on to the good old ways of small business and caring neighbors. She will be missed by all.
Nickie was an absolute treasure. Every child who grew up in Hudson Falls over the last 60 years has fond memories of visiting Mike’s and seeing Nickie behind that well worn counter. She holds a special place in so many hearts. I hope her family find solace in each other and in their memories of Nickie. She brought so much joy to so many. She will be missed.
Nickie was an amazing lady. We loved having her as a neighbor. She made our whole family feel special every time we stopped into her store. She will be greatly missed. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all.
The Hogan’s
Nickie was an amazing lady. I truly loved going to Mike’s as a kid and then bringing my husband and eventually our daughters in, when we would come into town. It never surprised me that she would remember who I was because that was the type of person she was. She will be missed throughout the community. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
My family moved to Maple St. around the time Mike’s opened up in 1941. So many trips to Mike’s over the years!! Lots of great memories of that corner store and all of the ” School St. Gang” of kids in the 40 and 50 ties. Lots of Cokes and Popcicles…and laughs. Nickie was always there to look after us. Wonderful lady.
To all of Nickie’s family,
I was so sorry to hear of Nickies passing. I have so many great memories of Mike and Nickie. From working at the store, waiting on customers, sorting bottles and grinding hamburg, to the many hours several of us spent sitting on the front porch talking and drinking Pepsi. My fondest memories however, were from the time spent in the store just passing the time of day with Mike and Nickie. It is truly the end of an era. She was a remarkable lady who led a remarkable life.
Our hearts go out to Nickies family, its a devastating loss to the community. We will miss her stories when we went into her store and our children will miss going into the store with a dollar and coming out with all kinds of goodies, even though we only knew her for a few years it seamed like a lifetime and she touched our hearts.
God Bless
To all of Nickie’s family.
Steve and I would like to send your entire family our condolences on the passing of Nickie. She was a VERY special lady. Always a smile on her face and the kindess person around. She will be sorely missed. My kids would always go in and buy penny candy and Steve would always get me a May Basket. Thoughts and prayers to your entire family. From Steve and Kristy Maille.
To Nicki’s family,
Nicki’s loss is an End of an Era for those who grew up in that neighborhood and in Hudson Falls. We moved across the street from Mike & Nicki’s store just before I turned 8. I’ll miss stopping by and catching up with her. Any time I had to go “downtown – Main Street” I would stop in to see if she needed any errand run – bank deposit, stamps, etc. When I finished I would be rewarded with my pick of a cold soda. The candied apples at Halloween were a favorite treat. She attended our wedding in 1991 – one of the few times she left store when it would normally be opened. In 1993, we made a trip to Hudson Falls while we waited for our car and household goods to arrive from Ramstein AB Germany. I walked across the street with my then 8 month old son so Nicki could she him – and of course hold him. His pictures were part of the huge collection of photos. I’m glad we stopped by in July. And despite being almost 6 feet tall, he went around the counter and bent down so she could hug him.
I’m sure she got to OK from St Peter to set up her penny candy stand in heaven.
May she rest in peace.
Ann, David & John Doerffel
A sad day for the residents of Hudson Falls, especially all the “kids” who looked forward every Halloween season to the candy apples your Mom and Dad made. As a child I nearly cracked a tooth every time I bit into one and for ever more October will be the memory of Mikes grocery store and candy apples. Thanks Mike and Nickie for such great memories, I only wish my grandchildren could have shared in them too. This is a true story; I left Hudson falls in 1964 when my parents moved to Lake George and only returned in 1995 to visit. I stopped in to Mike’s grocery and OMG Nickie recognized me because I looked so much like my Dad! Gotta love her.
My condolences to Nickie’s entire family. Truly an amazing lady. I used to ride my bike to go get candy. Brought my sons to go see Nickie and she always knew who they were. Then my son Bryan brought his twins to see Nickie. She will be sorely missed by us all.
To our wonderful friend and second “mother.” We miss you so very much and hope that you are enjoying one of your many “conversations” with St. Anthony. We will always hold you in our hearts along with all the special memories that we have of you. We love you, Nick. Rest in Peace.
I grew up on school Street and she was friends with my grandfather Art Varney and let me say there were many times when I was having a bad day, with many days of being bullied in school and Nickie was that someone who always made sure to make me smile and laugh. I can easily stand in that store for a good hour if not more and have a conversation with her. I wish I could’ve seen her recently but life has been so busy. thank you for my childhood memories Nicki! God bless her family as well she will be missed!