Obituary of Nicholas J. Schoonover

Nicholas J. Schoonover, 72, of Tioga Center a beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, brother-in-law, and uncle passed away on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital after a courageous 26 month battle with chronic lyme disease. Nick was predeceased by his father, Burton Schoonover; brothers, Joseph Schoonover and Gary Schoonover. Nick is survived by his mother, Helen; wife, Sally; children, Nicholas J. (Tammy Bell) Schoonover III and their children, Ethan and Shelby of Sellersville, PA, Mark R. (Tammy) Schoonover and their children, N. James and Justin of Horseheads, and Elizabeth Schoonover (Jonathan) McCarthy of Jacksonville, FL; sister-in-law, Bonnie Schoonover; niece, Julia Schoonover; devoted friend and neighbor, Jim Stewart; our ray of sunshine, Charlotte Baker; along with Danny and Steve and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Nick worked 40 years at IBM Owego, starting in 10/24/1964. He started off on the Apollo program from 1964-72, then to AWACS and ending with FSD. He relocated several times to accommodate the demands of his job. Nick was involved in the Nichols-Tioga Jaycees organizing the Raft Races. Member of the Owego Camera Club and the Tioga Center United Methodist Church. Nick was a former leader of the Boy Scouts Troop #40. Nick always wanted to retire in his childhood community and cared deeply about the quality of life in Tioga County. He devoted many hours to the Tioga County Landowners group’s endeavors. Special thanks to the infusion lab and the third floor west at Lourdes for his excellent care. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2014 at 12:00 PM at Tioga United Methodist Church, Main Street, Tioga Center with Pastor Donna Taylor Martin officiating and burial to follow in Schoonover Cemetery. Family invites friends to call on Friday, December 19, 2014 from 4 to 7 PM at Estey, Munroe & Fahey Funeral Home, 15 Park St., Owego. Memorial donations may be made in Nick’s name to The Nicholas J. Schoonover Science and Engineering Scholarship, P.O. Box 18, Tioga Center, NY 13845.