Obituary of Nicholas Soccodato

Nicholas “Nicky” Soccodato, 80, of Howell passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Sunday, May 23, 2021 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township.  He was born in Polla, Italy, immigrated to the United States at the age of 16 living in The Bronx, and settled in Howell in 1973.  Nicky was a local icon in Greenwich Village where he owned and operated Nick’s Hairstylist in Manhattan for over 50 years, and was a stylist to many stars including Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, Martin Sheen, and Karen Duffy to name a few.  Many more actors and actresses on Broadway and MTV can also credit their hairstyles to Nicky. 

A man of many interests, he loved to listen to Frank Sinatra and watch old movies and was a member of the Italian American Club of Jackson. Post retirement Nicky enjoyed watching his beloved sports teams, AC Milan, NY Yankees, and the Philadelphia Eagles. He enjoyed his many trips back to Italy and was very proud of his Italian heritage. Nicky was a proud family man who enjoyed gathering where he loved to make his famous tomato sauce using imported San Marzano tomatoes. He was very happy to reach his milestone 80th birthday this past December.

He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Laura Soccodato in 1998.  Nicky is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Rosa Soccodato of Howell; son, Enrico Soccodato and his wife, Jean of Freehold; daughters, Raffaella Stevens of Tinton Falls, and Marilena Lowe and her husband, Jason of Freehold Borough; and four grandchildren, Cali, Amanda, Andrew, and Melissa.

Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Thursday, May 27, 2021 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 PM.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend his 12:00 Noon Funeral Mass on Friday, May 28, 2021 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 16 McLean Street, Freehold.  Interment will follow in St. Rose of Lima Catholic Cemetery, 299 Freehold-Englishtown Road, Freehold Township.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Nick’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 500 St. Jude Way, Memphis, TN 38105, or Disabled Veterans of America, 20 Washington Place, Newark, NJ 07102.  For information, directions or to leave condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.