Obituary of John Michael Nicolella

John Michael Nicolella, age 72, of Buford, GA passed away on Friday, January 8, 2016 after a 15 year battle with thyroid cancer. John graduated from South Philadelphia High School where he grew up. Later he joined the U.S. Navy and served for 4 years. He was stationed in Sanford, FL where he served on the U.S. Independence aircraft carrier. He received an Honorable Discharge on February 2nd, 1965. John met his wife of 50 years, Shirley Harbin, formerly of Orlando, FL, and they married on May 1st 1965 in South Philadelphia. John attended Quaker City School of Aeronautics and was employed by North East Airlines in Washington, D.C. for a few years. That company later merged with Delta Airlines in Atlanta in 1972. John retired from Delta on May 1st, 1995 after 28 years of service. During those years, he was able to do some vacation relief work in Spain, Paris, Rome Italy, Norway, and Copenhagen Denmark. After retiring, he worked for Delta Staffing and was sent to Moscow to work on their 777 aircraft off and on for 3 years. John is survived by his wife Shirley, Buford; his brother Augusto Nicolella and wife Barbara; 4 children, John Paul Nicolella, DeLand, FL, Shaun Michael Nicolella and wife Leigh Ann, Oakwood, Natalie Jean Nicolella, Sandy Springs, Rita Jo Barrios, Buford; 3 grandchildren, Heather Gabriella Barrios, Brandon Proano, Joshua M. McCart. The family will receive friends on Sunday, Jan. 10, from 4 PM - 6 PM at the Episcopal Church of St. Mary & St. Martha of Bethany, 4346 Ridge Rd. Buford, GA 30519. Funeral Mass will be held Monday, Jan.11, at 11 AM at the church. Interment will be at Hamilton Mill Memorial Gardens in Buford. Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel 770-945-6924 Share memories of John at www.hamiltonmillchapel.com