Obituary of Nicholas G. Macol

Nicholas George Macol age 90 of Trumbull, loving husband of 62 years to Dorothea Colonnese Macol passed away Thursday, January 18, 2024.  Born in Bridgeport, he was the son of the late George Sr. and Nassa Gramesty Macol.

Nick attended Central High School Class of 1951, and then Fairfield University Class of 1955, where he also earned a Masters degree and a 6^th year certificate. Nick became a well- known educator in Bridgeport, first as a teacher in the Bridgeport Public School system and then as the owner of The University School. During his fifty years as owner and director of The University School he touched hundreds of lives of students and their parents as a powerful force and mentor.  His dream was to reach young people who wanted to improve the direction of their lives.  He had a true passion to connect with his students.  Although he never underestimated the value of academics, he verbalized his philosophy of education often to everyone who worked with him, “Treat students with respect, teach them values, and then the academics will come naturally.”  He was a down-to-earth, no-nonsense educator, who was determined to help his “kids”, as he referred to them, in a real way.  He let them know and his staff know, “My door is always open…I want kids to come in…they come to talk about anything and everything, and I’m here to listen.”  He earned the sincere and on-going respect of his faculty, his staff, his colleagues, the Bridgeport community, and most importantly to him, his students and their parents throughout his remarkable career.  He will be greatly missed. Nick’s devotion to his religious beliefs was primary to him.  He was an active member of St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church throughout his life.  Important to him as well was being a Brother of Corinthian Lodge #104. Those who knew him well also remember his love of music, especially Arabic music, and the joy he expressed being surrounded by his numerous friends and beautiful family.

In addition to his wife Dorothea, he is survived by his three daughter and their husbands, Lisa and Michael Richardson of Arkansas, Lynn and Peter Ford of Wallingford CT, Katherine and James Blose of Southport CT, as well as eight grandchildren William (Anna), Jenny, Matthew (Kelly) and Abby Richardson, Nicholas and John Ford, Lauren and Tyler Blose, and three great-granddaughters. He is also survived by his brother Ronald Macol of Bridgeport and his sister-in-law Mary Macol of Trumbull and several nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by two brothers, John and George Macol.

Family and friends are invited to attend The Rite of Burial which will take place on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 at 11:00 am at St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church, 5458 Park Ave, Bridgeport with the Archpriest Romanos Malouf officiating followed by interment in Lakeview Cemetery, Bridgeport. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday morning from 9:30 am until time of service in the church. Abriola Parkview Funeral Home, 419 White Plains Rd., Trumbull, has been entrusted with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church or to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105 or at www.stjude.org