Louis Nicosia

Louis P. Nicosia, 96, of Woodway, passed away Thursday, October 14, 2010. Mass of Christian Burial will be 1 p.m. Monday, October 18 at St. Jerome's Catholic Church.

Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery. The rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, followed by visitation until 8:00 pm at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Boulevard.

Mr. Nicosia was born February 3, 1914, in Waco to Tony and Carmela Nicosia. He graduated from Waco High School before going into the family shoe business with his father.

In 1940, he married Myrtle Lee Kuhen and was married for 59 years before her death in 1999.

In 1942 he was sent to serve in WWII in the Army in the 284th Signal Pigeon Company and was stationed in France until 1945.

Upon returning from the war he continued working in the family shoe business and built it into a well known Waco business, Nicosia's Boot and Shoe Repair Service. He was owner and operator for over 70 years. Over those years he earned the Grand National Cup for superior workmanship for five years in a row.

Mr. Nicosia's hobbies included his love for raising and racing homing pigeons which he continued until he was 95. He also loved, fishing, the Dallas Cowboys, collecting ducks and being with family and friends. He was an active member of St. Jerome's Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Mr. Nicosia was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; brothers, R.T. Nicosia and Eugene Nicosia; sister, Lillian Carter, and two nephews.

He is survived by his daughter, Ann Nicosia London; granddaughters, Melissa London Adams and husband Larry; and Ashley London Holt, all of Woodway; and four great- grandchildren, Marshall Louis Adams, Mitchell Adams, Tatum Holt and Addyson Holt.

The Knights of Columbus will serve as pallbearers.