Mr. Nicholas James "Chick" Staffo, age 92, formerly of 79 Flint Avenue and a lifelong resident of Little Falls until moving to the Folts Home in Herkimer July 3, 2003, entered into eternal rest March 16, 2005. Nicholas was born on February 3, 1913 in Little Falls, the son of the late Vincent and Maria Estelle (DeBlasio) Staffo (Staffiero). He was educated in Little Falls schools. On April 18, 1941 Chick enlisted with the United States Army. He served our country with honor during World War II in the Pacific Theater, and was awarded the Silver Star, the nations third highest honor for gallantry in combat. His military campaigns and battles included New Guinea, Luzon, and the Southern Philippines. His combat decorations and citations also included three Bronze stars, the Distinguished Unit Badge, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, the World War II Victory Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross. He received an honorable discharge from the Army on May 30, 1945, and at the time held the rank of Platoon Sergeant. He was joined in marriage with Pauline Logar at St. Joseph's Church in Little Falls. The couple had shared a loving union of over 52 years of marriage, with Pauline entering eternal rest on January 17, 1999. Chick was a member of the Holy Family Parish in Little Falls. He worked more than 47 years for the H.P. Snyder Manufacturing Company where he was a fork assembler, retiring in 1975. He was a member and Past Commander (1961) of the Little Falls DeCarlo-Staffo Post No. 8, which was co-named in honor of his deceased brother, Lieutenant John C. Staffo who died in action during World War II. He was a past Trustee for the New York State Italian-American veterans organization ITAM. Chick served the City of Little Falls as an appointed member of the Board of Public Works. He was also a member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace workers, and of the Slovenian Home, Inc. Chick was a boxer during his late teens, frequently fighting in Little Falls in the old Arkay Hall on Main Street, as well as in Newport, Utica and the surrounding area. He once knocked out two fighters in the same night. Returning from service in World War II, he managed the South Side Red Sox baseball team, guiding the team to the City Championship when they defeated the Little Falls Independents three straight times in 1948. He bowled in several local leagues, maintaining an average of around 180. Before the war he played on the St. Joseph's Church basketball team and after the war for the H.P. Snyder's team that won the Little Falls Industrial League Championship. Chick was a kind, gentle and generous man who was known for his joy for life and his love of children, always finding a way to let the little ones join in. He played with them with great enthusiasm that always brought a smile to their faces and filled them with laughter. His family and friends also remember a loving and caring man who was always ready to help others, an excellent story teller, and a good listener. His intelligence, compassion for others, and his sense of humor, also made him an excellent bartender at the DeCarlo-Staffo Post, the Gorge View Lanes, and at private parties. Throughout his life he touched everyone he met with these qualities and for at least one moment, made them laugh or smile, and brightened up their day and for those very fortunate to have known him for years, he brightened up their lives. Following his retirement Chick could be seen most mornings taking 6-plus mile walks along Route 167, reducing the distance to two miles the last couple of years and finally to about a mile and a half the last several months before moving to the Folts Home. Prior to her and then his moving to the Folts Home, he enjoyed going up to his late sister Rose Raiello's house to watch the Yankee games on television. Throughout his life he was an excellent cook, passing along his Italian recipes to his family and grandchildren. He was a communicant of Holy Family Parish. His faith prepared him to be with the Lord and to be reunited with his deceased loved ones. He is survived by his sons: Dr. Donald F. Staffo along with his wife Dr. Marilyn Staffo of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; and Gary T. Staffo along with his wife Jocelyn of Springfield, VA; his grandchildren: Andrea, Deanna, and Kristin Staffo; his brother Angelo Staffo along with his wife Mary of Little Falls, his in-laws: Amelia, Helyn, and Frank Logar all of Little Falls, and Maria Mills of Lemoyne, Pa; and many nephews, nieces and cousins. When he required assistance, in addition to his sons and daughters-in-law, Nicholas was very grateful of the care provided him by special nephew Edward Battisti and his wife Millie, his nieces Marie Volo and Gayle Raiello, his brother Angelo and his wife Mary, as well as the staff at the Folts Home. Chick was preceded in death by his infant sister Rosina Staffiero (Staffo) and his brothers, Lt. John C. Staffo, Rocco Staffo and Michael Staffo, and his sisters Lena (Staffo) Battisti and Rose (Staffo) Raiello. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and the entire Folts Home staff for the excellent care they provided Nicholas. Contributions in Nicholas' honor may be considered to Holy Family Parish in Little Falls or to a charity of your choice. The funeral will commence with full military honors on Monday, March 21, 2005 at 10:15 am from the Enea Family Funeral Home, 24 West Monroe Street, Little Falls, and at 11 from the Holy Family Parish. Interment will take place in St. Mary's Cemetery, Town of Herkimer. Visitation, to which relatives and friends are invited, will be held on Sunday, March 20, 2005 from 6-9 p.m at the funeral home. For directions to the funeral home, click the facilities link above.