Obituary of Michael J. Chicola

Michael J. Chicola Olean, NY Michael J. Chicola of 1817 Stardust Lane passed away Thursday (November 5, 2015) in his home with his loving family at his side. Born January 27, 1944 in Portland, ME he was a son of the late Nicholas and Mary Berry Chicola. On December 23, 1967 at St. Mary of the Angels Church in Olean he married Nancy Wastyk who survives. Michael was a graduate of Archbishop Walsh High School, class of 1961 and started college at St. Bonaventure University. His education was delayed as he served with the US Army as a medic during the Vietnam War from 1965-1967. He was awarded a bronze star with valor. He then received a bachelor's degree from the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma in 1969. In 1986 he received a master’s degree from the University of Denver in Denver, Colorado. He first worked for United Airlines as a business accounting manager in Chicago for 7 years after which he was transferred to Denver, CO where he worked as an assistant to the Western Regional manager until his retirement. He then worked as a consultant in Geneva, Switzerland with International Air Transport Association, and later worked for a travel agency in Denver. He moved back to Olean in 1991 and joined with his family in their businesses, Northern Laundromats and also Chicola Properties, with whom he was still active until his death. Additionally, he served as the Clerk for the City of Olean during the mayoral term of James P. Griffin from 1998-2001. Michael was currently serving as the treasurer for the City of Olean Republican Committee. He loved traveling worldwide during his whole life, was an avid golfer, and taught snow skiing for 13 years for the National Center for the Disabled in Winter Park, Colorado, particularly guiding the blind in downhill skiing. Surviving besides his wife are 3 brothers Nicholas Chicola of Palm Springs, CA, Denis (Ron Newman) Chicola of San Francisco and Peter Chicola of Olean; 1 sister Mary (Mark) McGuire of Burke, VA; a niece Melissa (Andy) McGuire- Zayas and nephew Kyle McGuire. He also was proud of having achieved his Irish passport this past year where he kept a connection with his cousins there as well as all across the USA. Friends will be received for a memorial visitation on Monday from 2-4 & 7-9pm at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Rd. Olean. A memorial service will be held Tuesday (November 10, 2015) at 11:00am in the funeral home. Rev. Gregory Dobson, pastor of St. Mary of the Angels Church, will officiate. Burial will be in St. Bonaventure Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation, 462 Evans St., Buffalo, NY 14221. Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.