John J. Nivaggi

Mr. John J. Nivaggi, 89, of Whitesboro, passed away on Thursday January 25, 2018 at St. Elizabeth Medical Center with the love and support of his family.
He was born in Utica on April 1, 1928, a son of the late Giovanni and Teresa Simone Nivaggi He was educated in local schools and was a 1946 graduate of T.R. Proctor High School. He served our country in the US Army from 1946 to 1948. On May 5, 1951, in St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Church he was married to Emily Conte, a blessed union of nearly 65 years until her passing in 2016. John was employed as a "Metallurgist" with the Kelsey-Hayes Co for many years until his retirement in 1986. He continued in his field as a consultant for several years. John was a mechanical genius. He could build or fix anything. He was a Master Wood Craftsman, and his expertise was in clock building. Grandfather clocks were his specialty and he is well known for these outstanding works of art. A kind and talented man, he will be sadly missed, but never forgotten.
Surviving are his beloved sons and daughter-in-law; Gary and Darlene Nivaggi, of Orlando, FL. and John Nivaggi of Floyd; and one precious granddaughter, Sara Nivaggi; one brother and sister-in-law Vincent (Jim) and Claudia Nivaggi of Utica; two sisters-in-law Carolyn Conte and Delores Conte and many loving nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three sisters and brothers-in-law, Lena and Carmen Grasso, Josephine and Thomas Graziano and Angeline and Joseph Ducato; two brothers-in-law Joseph and Carl Conte.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial on Monday at 10:30 am  at St. Anthony/St Agnes Church. Private entombment will be in Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum.
Visiting hours will be held on Sunday from 2-5 pm at The Scala & Roefaro Funeral Home, Inc., 1122 Culver Ave., Utica.