Obituary of Nicholas Eugene Silitch

Nicholas E. Silitch North Granville, NY - Nicholas Eugene Silitch, 81, died at his home in North Granville Tuesday, April 17. He was chairman of the Granville Democratic Committee, a member of the Washington County Democratic Committee and the New York State Democratic Committee. He was born in Binghamton, New York, in 1936, where his father was Chief Engineer for the WPA, and grew up in New York City. He attended Trinity and Collegiate schools in Manhattan and the University of Virginia. He served in the U. S. Army at the end of the Korean war. He began his career as a stockbroker then became an aviation journalist. He wrote for Air Progress, Aero, and Water Flying magazines, and served as technical editor of Private Pilot and later Professional Pilot. He also wrote book reviews for the Washington Post. He is the author of Making Your Airplane Last Forever, published by McGraw-Hill. During his aviation career, he owned, maintained and operated aircraft — a Cessna 185 amphibian and a Beech C-33A Debonair. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mary Frances Silitch; two sons, Nicholas C. Silitch of New York City; and Ian Silitch of Ocala, Florida; and five grandchildren. Visitation will be held at the Robert M. King Funeral Home, 23 Church Street, Granville, Friday, April 27, from 6 to 8 pm. A celebration of his life is planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Clinton Foundation, 1200 President Clinton Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72201; the Carter Center, 453 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30307; and Heifer International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72202. Online condolences may be made at www.robertmkingfuneralhome.com.