Nicolino, F. Sterio, 97, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, May 18.
The son of the late Carmelo and Maria Sterio, Nick was born May 20 in Oswego, New York. The second of three children, he attended and graduated from Oswego High School, and later Aviation School in Elmira, New York.
Nick began a musical career that would span his lifetime, at a young age, first learning to play the banjo, and earning a small wage playing with his father’s Italian American Citizens Band.
At Oswego High, he learned to play the clarinet, and at 16 years old performed for the first time with the Oswego City Summer Concert Band.
After attending Aviation School, where he proudly met Orville Wright, he enlisted in the United States Army Air Corp. in 1941, spending time in Biloxi, Mississippi, and Corpus Christi, Texas, where he became a member of the “Air-Sea Rescue”. While in the service he also attended George Peabody College, now part of Vanderbilt University, in Nashville Tennessee.
He returned to Oswego, working as a carpenter for many years before opening Sterio’s Men’s Shop in 1954. He married his wife of 62 years, Adele Stracuzzi in 1958, and they raised two children, David and Judy, in his family homestead. Nick was a life member of many organizations including the American Federation of Musicians, Oswego Country Club, Carpenter’s Union Local 747 (now 277), Elks Club, American Legion, Knights of Columbus, Charles C. Crisafulli Post, and was past president/vice president of the Oswego County Musician’s Union, Oswego Kiwanis, Oswego Jaycees, Oswego YMCA and Retail Merchants. Nick was also a Board Member and Trustee of the Oswego City Labor Board and served two years in Oswego government representing the Fourth Ward.
Besides his family and business interests, Nick’s true passion was his music. His career took off in the 1940’s, when he started his first band, a quartet, which played regularly at The Hillview Inn. As time went on, the bands got bigger, the gigs more frequent, and in their heyday, his Nick Sterio Orchestra was playing two, three and sometimes four jobs a weekend. Nick’s band was the “Go-To” group for every wedding, prom, fraternity/sorority formal, dinner dance and Policeman’s/Fireman’s Charity Ball for many years. Most every prominent musician in Central New York played with Nick during his 75-year run as a band leader. Those musicians became life-long friends and memories. Late in his career, while in his eighties, he performed several times with the National Community Band along the east coast, and at 92, Nick was still performing with the Oswego City Band, the longest participating member of the organization.
In recent years, Nick and his wife Adele were still very active around the Oswego community, enjoying dinners at their favorite restaurants in town, golfing at the Oswego Country Club, and/or simply enjoying conversations with friends and family. Nick also loved watching his son at Oswego City and Jazz Band concerts, spending time with his daughter and family during the holidays, and practicing his clarinet and saxophone while watching television.
A proud and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle, Nick is survived by his devoted wife Adele (Stracuzzi) Sterio of Oswego, son David (Jill) Sterio of Oswego, and daughter Judy Sterio of New York City, grandchildren Shane and Shelby Stepien, great-grandchildren Spencer, Addison, Jameson and Connor, sisters Mamie Ellis, as well as dozens of nieces/nephews in Oswego, Massachusets, Maryland, and California. Nick was predeceased by his sister Mary Loschiavo.
A memorial service and celebration of Nick’s life will take place on a future date. Arrangements are in care of Sugar and Scanlon Funeral Home, 147 W. 4th St. Oswego.
He was a wonderful man. Many talents but always friendly to me. We shared a special connection i believe.
Adele, we are saddened to hear of the passing of your husband Nick. We enjoyed talking with you both at Wade’s and Marie’s. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. RIP Nick
hAD THE PLEASURE OF PLAYING WITH NICK WITH THE OSWEGO COMMUNITY BAND MANY YEARS AGO. A GREAT MAN AND MUSICIAN.
Sad to hear of Nick’s passing…for several years in the 1960’s & 1970’s I worked for Flexo Wire and bowled for the “Sterio’s Men’s Shop” team in the Ontario League. Nick was our sponsor, a friend, a nice person, always friendly and always interested in you and yours. He had an great smile, a firm handshake and a caring nature the mark of a fine man.
I was sad to hear of Nick’s passing. He was one of the kindest and most gracious people I have ever met. My father was fortunate to know him and played in his band in the early fifties. Nick always made whoever he met feel special. He was truly a man above men. My prayers are with his family..
Adele,
Heartfelt sympathy on Nick’s passing. I have such fond memories of you and Nick and babysitting David and Judy all those years ago. You’ve lost a great guy and he will be greatly missed. May all your memories comfort you, David and Judy and all the family. Much love.
Adele and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May God comfort you at this time. We miss Nick, and we will never forget his kindness and yours. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you need anything.
Warmest regards,
Dan & Katrina Eason
Oswego
Now Nick and David are playing their beautiful music in heaven together again. GOD wanted more beauty and beautiful music in heaven and HE surely now has the best. I love you both forever. Til we meet again my sweet uncle and cousin. Mary