Obituary of Nicholas H. Grinaldo

Cohoes Nicholas H. Grinaldo, 92, passed away Friday evening, November 9th at the Eddy Village Green in Cohoes. Born on November 1, 1920 to the late Samuel and Grace (DiStefano) Grinaldo, Nick enlisted in the NY National Guard, Company C, 105th Infantry on February 27, 1940 and served with the 27th Infantry Division. In 1944, during the Battle of Saipan, Nick sustained injuries to his shoulder from machine gun fire, as well as shrapnel in his hip, earning him 2 Purple Hearts. Among the other medals awarded for Nick's service and bravery were the Bronze Star, NYS Conspicuous Service Star, Asian-Pacific Campaign Medal and several others. Nick was honorably discharged in 1945 at the rank of Staff-Sergeant. After proudly serving his country, Nick returned to Troy where for 35 years (1953-1988) he operated Nick's Shoe Store, on the corner of Douw & River Streets. The store was opened in 1917 by his uncle and was originally named, Trojan Quick Shoe Repair. During his lifetime Nick was an active member of several organizations including the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Tibbits Cadets, Emerald A.C., the Italian Community Center, the Troy Central Rod and Gun Club and the American Legion. Nick was an avid outdoorsmen and taught most of his family how to fish and/or hunt. Nick also loved tending to his garden and woodworking. Nick's family will miss the Christmas cookies and Easter bread that he made every year for his friends and family; his pizza and clam chowder and summer nights at his camp on Lake Champlain or Schroon River. Nick was predeceased by his loving wife of 63 years, Virginia (Pettignelli) Grinaldo and his sister, Josephine Grinaldo. Nick is survived by his siblings: Mary (the late Andy) O'Donnell, Angelo Grinaldo, Angela (the late Donald) Bouchard and Marguerite (Jim) Scorscone. He is survived by his children: Virginia (Dennis) Ryan, Nicholas (Margo) Grinaldo as well as his grandchildren: Eric Ryan, Daryl (Kristi) Ryan and his great grandchildren: Maxwell and Samuel Ryan. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews: Grace (the late Paul) Flagg, William (Donna) Bouchard, Gary (Debbie) Favro, Karen (Andy Hathaway) Hanna, AnnMarie (Patrick) Strack, Angela Grinaldo, Richard O'Donnell and Andrea (James) Dedrick. Nick is also survived by his great nieces and nephews: Kimberly Favro-Crooks, Don (Amy) Favro, Matthew Bouchard and Sarah and Olivia Flagg. He is the great-great uncle to Kole Favro. Funeral Wednesday morning at 8:45 from the Riverview Funeral Home, Inc., 218 2nd Avenue, (corner of 104th Street), Troy, NY 12180, and at 9:30 o'clock at St. Jude the Apostle Church, Wynantskill, where the Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Relatives and friends are invited to attend and may also call at the Riverview Funeral Home on Tuesday from 4 to 7 pm. Entombment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Troy, NY. The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the nurses and staff of the Eddy Village Green Nursing Care Center of Cohoes and the Community Hospice of Rensselaer County for the wonderful care given to Nick and his family. In lieu of flowers contributions in Nick's memory may be made to the Eddy Village Green of Cohoes or the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675. For on-line condolences please visit: theriverviewfuneralhome.com.