Obituary of Benjamin Nicotri

Ben Nicotri, 90, was a well-loved family doctor and surgeon in Canastota and Oneida, NY for 14 years (1958-1972); he died July 30, 2009 in Edmonds, WA after a long illness. He was born in Peace Dale, Rhode Island, the youngest son of Sicilian immigrant parents, who later moved to the Bronx, NY where he grew up. Both of his two older brothers died at a young age of hemophilia, and his parents died when he was 13 years old, which inspired Ben to become a doctor. While in the Navy in WWII, he met his future wife, Charlotte Tribble Nicotri, in Atlanta, GA. He later graduated from Fordham Medical College and interned at Walter Reed Army Hospital. After a short stint in the Air Force, he practiced family medicine for several years in Levittown, NY and then did a surgical residency in Winston Salem, NC. Ben opened a family medicine/surgical practice in Canastota and did everything from delivering babies and doing house calls, to varied surgeries. He was deeply involved in the community, serving on the School Board for a number of years. Dr. Nicotri was a shy, gentle man who cared deeply about his patients, friends and family. He was respected by all and had a kind word for everyone. After his 3 children graduated from high school, he and Charlotte moved south and he worked at a number of Veterans Hospitals in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. After retirement, they lived on the beach in Florida and then moved to Seattle, WA to be near their daughter Bette. Dr. Nicotri is survived by his 3 children, Bette, Jim and Bob; 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. He will be sorely missed. He will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife Charlotte in Senoia, GA, her hometown.