Marcolin Nieves

VISITATION:                    Friday, January 12, 2018    2-5PM & 7-9PM at Joseph A. Brizzi Funeral Home, 3913 Fort Hamilton Parkway, Brooklyn, NY  1-718-436-3316

FUNERAL:                       Saturday, January 13, 2018, 9:30AM Mass @ St. Catharine's of Alexandria Church, 4023 Fort Hamilton Parkway, Brooklyn, NY

BURIAL:                          Riverview Cemetery, Roscoe, NY

Contact Joseph A. Brizzi Funeral Home DIRECTLY for floral tributes and/or donations. 

Marcolin Nieves – Ayala age 81, departed this life on Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at his daughter’s home in Cliffwood, New Jersey.  He was the husband of the late Nelida Nieves, with whom he shared 36 years of marriage before her passing.

Born in Hatillo, Puerto Rico, Marcolin was the second youngest son of Bernardo Nieves and Antonia Ayala.

Along with some of his eight siblings (Isabel, Isidoro, Ana-Gloria, Inocencio, Bernardo, Isaias, and Maria), Marcolin worked with his father in the agriculture industry.  He was raised by very strict but loving parents, who instilled the importance of family and the value of a great work ethic.

Our father was an avid horseman, a creative self-taught electrician and a gentle jokester.  His hobby was boxing and from what I hear he was quite good.  He loved listening to music genres the like of ranchero, bolero and salsa, by music artists such as, Juan Gabriel, Julio Iglesias, Tito Puente and Vincente Fernandez.  He also enjoyed watching Western movies, wrestling, attending church, and taking visits to Canal Street to find his hidden treasures.  Marcolin was coined by his children as the Puerto Rician MacGyver due to his handyman skills and they swore he really doubled as a 007 with his love of recording devices.  He took pride in his Puerto Rican roots, he always vowed to return to his birth island and did so upon his retirement 13 years ago.    

Working in the agricultural industry he traveled many states including Maryland, Georgia, Florida, before settling in Brooklyn, New York.  He retired, as a building porter after working for Trump Towers for more than 20 years.

Throughout his life Marcolin was loved and respected by his children and family, life-long friends, and co-workers. He was valued for his honesty, oh boy jokes and disciplined work ethic.  Marcolin was a dedicated father who took pride in sacrificing for his family.  He taught his children the importance of family, respect for others and putting in the hard work to accomplish your goals. Although a stoic man, Marcolin was a sensitive soul that appreciated the beauty of mother-nature, and wild life, all while looking cool with his sun glasses.  He seldom took a photo without a quick comb over and his shades.  Marcolin loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He often loved retelling stories of his early life experiences to the new generations of his family.  Marcolin always demonstrated the importance of respecting your elders to his family, especially to his two six-year-old grandchildren (at the time) who sang him a newly learned school song, entitled the “A Big Fat Pig to Eat” by throwing spare change down the hall as a warning to shape up.  As Marcolin believed his two six-year-old grandchildren were calling him a Big Fat Pig. While Marcolin will be greatly missed by many, he lived a full life that many had the luxury to be a part of.

Marcolin was preceded in death by his wife Nelida Nieves and daughter Sandra Nieves.

Those left to cherish his memory include daughters Noelia Nieves-Bowers (Anthony) and Arlene M. Munoz (Leo), son Marcos Nieves (Elizabeth). Twelve Grandchildren Julio A. Rodriguez, Angel L. Barbosa, Adriana C. Nieves, Edward DeSantis III, Stephanie C. Nieves, Lewis A. Ortiz, Brandon L. Munoz, Destiny F. Martinez, Gwyneth L, Munoz, Nicole N. Nieves, Ashley E. M. Nieves, Marc M. J. Nieves. Nine Greatgrandchildren Giovani M. Rodriguez, Angelo R. Testa, Juliette A. Rodriguez, Jaidyn M. Henderson, Gianalyse S. Ibarra, Marcus S. Ibarra, Athena Ortiz, Juliana Henderson and Melanie M, Ibarra.

A special thanks to the below noted pallbearers:

Marcos Nieves

Leo Munoz

Anthony W. Bowers

Julio A. Rodriguez

Angel L. Barbosa

Brandon L. Munoz