Caroline "Carol" Theresa (Nicotera) Bialas

UTICA- Caroline “Carol” Theresa (Nicotera) Bialas, age 98 passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at the Waterville Residential Care Center with her loving daughter by her side.

She was born in Utica on March 31, 1926, daughter of the late Peter and Mary (Salebra) Nicotera. Carol graduated from St. Agnes School and Utica Catholic Academy, followed by coursework overseas with The University of Maryland. She held several administrative assistant positions, including at Pasadena City College (CA), Agway in Syracuse (NY), offices for two Texas Congressmen at the State Capitol, and at The University of Texas at Austin School of Law. She baked a terrific homemade apple pie, swam a good backstroke, told wonderful stories and spoke Italian out of the blue with considerable fluency. However, her greatest accomplishment was becoming a Mother and homemaker for her family. Carol married John (Jack) Verner Bialas in 1951, and they were together for 15+ years. Jack passed away in March of 1973. Carol was a communicant of Historic Old St. John’s Church, Utica. She loved London, Puerto Rico, and New York, the sound of the wind in the trees at Sylvan Beach, toast and coffee, and orange marmalade.

She is survived by her loving daughter, Victoria (Vicky) Bialas, CA; her sisters-in-law, Judith (Bialas) McCale and her children, and Dorothy (Morrison) Nicotera; and nieces and nephews, Peter III, Thomas, and Nicole “Deborah” Nicotera. She was predeceased by her brother, Peter Nicotera II (“Junior”), and the much loved parents, grandparents and many cousins, uncles and aunts they shared adventures with.

Relatives and friends are invited, and may call on Friday, January 17, 2025, at 10AM at Historic Old St. John’s Church where her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Private interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery, Utica. 

Carol’s family would like to thank all of her private care workers, especially Kim, Donna, Kaity, and Dawn; Becky and the Sister Rose Vincent Family Medicine Center; and the doctors, nurses and staff at the Waterville Residential Care Center for the compassion shown during her stay. 

Donations in Carol’s name may be made to Waterville Residential Care Center. Envelopes will be available at the Mass.

Arrangements are by The Scala, Roefaro & Karboski Funeral Home, Utica, David Roefaro and Stephen Karboski, Directors.