Gilbert Ambrose Nicola

Gilbert Ambrose Nicola of St. George, UT,  died peacefully in his sleep on January 17, 2026 at the age of 95. Born January 20, 1930 in Milwaukee, he was the child of Ambrose Nicola and Emily Virgin, both parents immigrating separately from Germany just prior to the depression.

Married Unita Jean Rogers, a farmer's daughter from Northern Wisconsin, married for over 64 years. They had 2 daughters, Gail Croson of Las Vegas, husband Steve (deceased) and Susan Nicola, married to Roland Wolferstetter of Shorewood, WI. Further survived by grandson Justin (Lauren) and 2 children, Leo and Aubrie, and granddaughter Marina Nicola, and sister Lillian Sagstetter (deceased) and her husband Frank (deceased).

They were never much for things but enjoyed cruises, their favorite vacation spot, Cozumel, and a trip to his father's ancestral home in Germany. Drafted in 1951 and discharged from the Army as a Sgt in 1953, serving in Korea as an searchlight operator on the DMZ. Working life was spent in sales and sales management, hired in 1978 by BTC to sell direct line phone service from Milwaukee to Chicago, which expanded to 12 years as WI Manager of the original Sprint. Prior to that he sold advertising for the LM Berry Company, representing WI Bell for the Yellow Pages.

He went to North Division high school and retired to St George, Utah in 1992, attracted by the size, golf courses and weather. He found a problem in his community with how the shared water billing was handled and had a continual battle over it with the city for many, many years. He helped save a lot of money.

Celebration of Life on Thursday, February 19, 2026 at the Santa Fe HOA Clubhouse 210 N Mall Dr from 12:00-2:00pm. Light refreshments will be available. There will be a Military Honors Salute at the beginning of Celebration.

He has donated his body to the University of Utah School of Medicine for the purpose of medical study and research. If you'd like to send a remembrance, please donate to an animal charity.