Nicholas Nugent, former teacher at deaf school

From: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle - Rochester,NY,USA - Nov 26, 2004

Greg Livadas Staff writer

(November 26, 2004) — Nicholas Nugent, a former teacher and basketball coach at Rochester School for the Deaf, died of pneumonia Sunday in Ballston Spa, Saratoga County. He was 90.

Born in Rochester, Mr. Nugent graduated from John Marshall High School, where his family says he was a standout basketball and soccer player. He also played basketball with the Lewis Street Center Stars, a team that won 66 straight games.

"He was a big sports enthusiast, both participating and watching them," said his daughter, Patricia Nugent, of Ballston Spa.

Mr. Nugent graduated from Cortland State Teacher's College and received a master's degree from Ithaca College.

He married his wife, Amelia, in 1941, and soon after was drafted to serve as an instructor in the Army Air Corps.

In 1948, Mr. Nugent, who was hearing, was offered a job at RSD.

He was a physical education teacher, a junior high teacher and eventually an athletic director at the school.

"He's probably best remembered for being a good athletic director and a good basketball coach," said Leonard Zwick, retired RSD superintendent. "He was a disciplinarian, but he was very fair. He required everybody to do their best. He wouldn't settle for anything less."

Roderick McNeil, a student on a championship basketball team in the late 1940s, remained friends with Mr. Nugent, who served as an interpreter at his wedding in 1950.

"He was a very good friend," said McNeil, 75, of Webster. "He was a good coach. He taught me many tricks and skills to play basketball."

After retiring in 1973, Mr. Nugent, who lived in Irondequoit, worked with his wife as an assistant real estate broker.

He also kept busy as a basketball referee and spending time with his family.

"He loved music and he hummed 24/7. It really was his trademark," his daughter said.

The Nugents wintered in Largo, Fla., where Mr. Nugent became an avid golfer.

His wife died in January. They had been married 63 years.

Other than his daughter Patricia, Mr. Nugent is survived by another daughter, Kathleen Jackson, and a grandson, Bryan Nicolas Davis, both of Milwaukee.

Calling hours are today from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Paul W. Harris Funeral Home, 570 Kings Highway South, Irondequoit.

A Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Cecelia's Church, with burial at Irondequoit Cemetery.

Memorials may be sent to Maplewood Manor, Nicholas Nugent Memorial Fund, 149 Ballston Ave., Ballston Spa, N.Y. 12020.

GLIVADAS@DemocratandChronicle.com

Copyright 2004 Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.