Protodeacon Blagoy E. Nicoloff, 88, of Saints Cyril and Methodius Church here, fell asleep in the Lord on Wednesday, January 25, 2012, at Mercy Regional Medical Center.
Born June 15, 1923, in Lorain, of which he remained a life-long resident, he entered the Army after his graduation from Lorain High School in 1941. During World War II, he participated in the African, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland and Central European Campaigns. He earned the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with Four Bronze Stars and a Bronze Arrowhead, as well as a Good Conduct Medal.
In 1976, he retired as the foreman of the Boiler Shop at US Steel Lorain Works. He also worked in the Sheet Metal Shop and other departments for a total of 35 years. In retirement, he was a partner in N & M Fabricating , Lorain, where he also owned and operated Nicoloff’s Food Market from 1959 until 1974. He served as a Lorain Civil Service Commissioner during the 1970s.
Music was one of his passions, and he and his brothers had a Macedonian band, as well as a band named Music Stylists. He was choir director at Saints Cyril and Methodius Church for over 50 years.
Devoted to his Church and family, he served in every position on the parish board and served as parish president for many years.
In 2002, he was ordained to the diaconate by His Eminence, the late Archbiship Kyrill of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania and the Bulgarian Diocese of the Orthodox Church in America. He was elevated to the rank of Protodeacon in 2009.
He will be deeply missed by his wife of 64 years, Diakonissa Raisa Nicoloff (née Lysak); son Dr. Nicola [Michele] Nicoloff of Petersburg, daughter Dr. Catherine Loboda of Hudson, and daughter Ellen [Sam] D’Fantis of North Olmsted; grandchildren David [Laurie], Kristine [Andrew], Heather, Ronnie, Larissa [Eric], Raisa, Luke [Ashley], Michael [Katie] and Natalie [Phil]; great grandchildren Noah, Jonah and Ella; and sisters-in-law Betty and Virginia Nicoloff.
Visitation will begin at Saints Cyril and Methodius Church, 3056 Reeves Avenue, Lorain, at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 29, with a Parastas at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Service will be celebrated the church on Monday, January 30, at 10:00 a.m., preceded by visitation at 9:00 a.m. His Grace, Bishop Melchisedek of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, Locum tenens of the Bulgarian Diocese, will officiate. Interment will follow in Elmwood Cemetery, Lorain. The Disabled American Veterans Louis Paul Proy Chapter 20 will conduct Military Honors.
For further information and to sign the online register book, see Reidyfuneral.com.
May Protodeacon Blagoy’s memory be eternal!