Obituary of Leo C. Nicholas

Leo Nicholas, born in Watervliet, NY on December 19, 1931, died peacefully in Cape Canaveral on April 25, 2015 after a long battle with with heart disease. Leo is survived by his wife of 28 years, Marilyn Rigerman; his sister Dina Lenzi; three children Natalie Dickins, Michael Nicholas, and Dave Nicholas; three stepchildren Cindy Kolombo, Debra Brown, and Jean Diaz; seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Leo was a veteran of war serving in the US Air Force, fighting in the Korean War. After he separated from the Air Force, he attended and graduated from the University of Miami with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He moved to Cape Canaveral in 1963 and worked for NASA for over 20 years. Leo was passionate about military veterans and the community in which he lived. He dedicated his life to ensure both were represented and upheld with the highest standards. He worked tirelessly to provide the residents of Cape Canaveral with relevant amenities such as being a proponent of the recreation complex, little league baseball, a rich place for learning through our public library, and a safe community to raise families. Leo accomplished this by spending two terms as Mayor of Cape Canaveral; first in 1970 and again in 1976, City Manager 1987-1989, as well as over three decades on the city council. He was the first Commander of the VFW Post 10131 serving many subsequent commander terms and most recently as Quartermaster. Leo was recently recognized by the city of Cape Canaveral for his lifetime achievements where he was celebrated by his family and the community. Arrangements entrusted to Ammen Family Cremation and Funeral Care, 1286 S. US #1, Rockledge, FL (321) 632-1350. Please join us for his Celebration of Life and VFW Memorial which will be held on May 16th, 2015 from 11:00am to 3:00pm with military honors at 11:30am at Manatee Sanctuary Park – 701 Thurm Blvd., Cape Canaveral, FL 32920.In lieu of flowers, Leo and his family would prefer donations be made to hospice through the Health First Foundation http://www.health-first.org/ways_to_help/online_giving.cfm.