Nelson J. DiGregorio passed away August 1, 2017, at his home in Pulaski, under the care of Oswego County Hospice and his family. He was 93 years old. Calling hours will be held at the D.L. Calarco Funeral Home, Inc. on Friday, August 4, 2017, from 4-7pm. A 9:15 am prayer service will be held Saturday at the funeral home, followed by a 10am funeral mass at St. Anthony’s Church with Monsignor Robert Aucoin officiating. Burial will follow in Pulaski Village Cemetery with military honors.
Nelson was born in Watertown, NY on September 20, 1923, a son of Giuseppi DiGregorio and Mary Cirrincione. He graduated from Watertown High School in 1941. He was a M4 Sherman Tank welder at the New York Air Brake in 1942 and 1943. He served in the Army Air Corps from 1944 until his honorable discharge on May 8, 1946. Nelson earned his BFA degree from Syracuse University in 1950 and his MS degree at State University, Oswego in 1965. He married Shirley I. Wade in 1946. He was an Art teacher and administrator in the Oswego School District for 31 years and concessionaire at Fair Haven State Park for 58 years.
Nelson was a communicant of St Anthony’s Church. He was a member of the American Legion, Italian American Club and past president of the NYS Art Teacher’s Association. He was widely known for his art pursuits, having won first prize in a national art poster contest in 1939 World’s Fair in New York City. He enjoyed breeding and racing standard and thoroughbred horses at Vernon Downs, Finger Lakes, Saratoga and Monticello Race Tracks.
Along with his companion Rose Marie Gushue, Nelson is survived by his two sons Joseph G. DiGregorio of Oswego, and Mark L. DiGregorio and his wife Ann Marie, Pulaski; three grandsons, seven great grandchildren and one great great grandson; a brother Joseph and his wife Darlene, Watertown; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He is predeceased by his wife Shirley I. DiGregorio in 2000, his son Nelson, Jr. in 2014 and a brother Frank in 2009. The family wishes donations be made in his name to St. Anthony’s Church, 850 Arsenal St. Watertown, NY. Condolences may be made to dlcalarco.com