Obituary of Nicholas C. Pircio

Nicholas C. “Nick” Pircio Olean, NY Nicholas C. “Nick” Pircio, 70, of 301 N. 18th St. passed away Saturday (January 13, 2024) at the Olean General Hospital. Born January 8, 1954 in New Brunswick, NJ he was the son of Dr. Anthony and Mary Smercak Pircio. On April 8, 1983 at St. Pius Church in Cohocton, he married Susan Burdin who survives. Nick was a graduate of Manlius High School in Fayetteville and later received a BA in Journalism from St. Bonaventure University. His career was primarily in news radio having had a lifelong interest in music and in radios. He began broadcasting with the University station, WSBU, and was nicknamed “Network Nick” because of his on-air delivery. He worked for a short period of time for WHHO/WCKR radio in Hornell as a DJ and newscaster, and also for WESB radio in Bradford, PA. His longest tenure was with WPIG in Olean from which he retired. Nick also worked as a substitute teacher and aide at Allegany Limestone Central School. He held a ham radio license and enjoyed listening to short wave stations from around the world. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of 60’s and 70’s music and enjoyed collecting and repairing antique radios as well as a current interest in contemporary radios. He was a member of St. Bonaventure Church and was an active choir member. He also belonged to the Allegany Knights of Columbus Council #1220 and served as its former Grand Knight, as well as having been a 4th degree Knight with the Olean Assembly. Nick served as a judge for Odyssey of the Mind at the local, state, and international levels. He leaves behind his loving wife Sue; his father Dr. Anthony Pircio of Manlius; one son Anthony (Alicia Fye) of Olean; four grandchildren Alexander, Allison, Ava, and Anthony; two sisters Mary Beth (Larry) Richardson of Manlius and Canastota, and Nancy (Scott McCorry) Sobieck of Malvern, PA; sisters-in law Paula (C. John Higgins) Burdin of Kanona and Phelps, and Bonnie Burdin of Cohocton; three brothers-in-law Butch (Brenda) Burdin of Howard, David (Melinda) Burdin of Mechanicsville, MD, Dale (Marrianne) Burdin of Warsaw, and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews. He was predeceased by his mother Mary Pircio, and a brother-in-law John “Jack” Burdin. Friends may call on Friday from 4-7pm at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Rd., Olean. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday (January 20, 2024) at 11am in St. Bonaventure Church. Rev. Michael Reyes, OFM, pastor, will be the celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Bonaventure Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Cattaraugus County SPCA, 1644 Olean Hinsdale Rd., Olean, NY 14760.