Bernard "Butch" A. Nicolai, Jr., age 68, of Eau Claire, passed away Saturday, January 28, 2017, at Sacred Heart Hospital surrounded by his family. Butch was born on September 22, 1948, in Eau Claire, to Bernard Sr. and Geraldine Nicolai. He graduated from North High School with the Class of 1966. Butch married Cynthia "Cindy" Thompson on November 1, 1969, at First Lutheran Church. Butch served in the US Marines during the Vietnam War. After the war, he went into the US Army Reserves. He is a life member of the VFW Post 305. He eventually retired from working as a custodian for the Eau Claire School District. Butch enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cribbage, and spending time with his family. Most of all, he loved spending time at the lake, where most of his memories were made. It was his home away from home. Butch is survived by wife of 47 years, Cindy; daughters, Ann (Ron) Nicolai of Boyceville and Kristi (Scott) Leland of Foster; six grandchildren, Dylan, Danica, Jonathan, Connor, Nella, Raianne; siblings, Harry (Linda) Nicolai, Henry (Diane) Nicolai, Mary (Terry) Knutson, Roger (Nancy) Nicolai, Mike (Karen) Nicolai, Mark (Karon) Nicolai, LeAnne (Jerry) Berg, Tim (Amber) Nicolai, Tony (Dana) Nicolai; and an enormous amount of nieces, nephews and other family members. He is further survived by his amazing fishing partner, Bill McCann. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gary; and lifelong lake friend, Mick Rieder. A gathering in Butch's honor will be held at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, February 1, 2017, at the VFW Post 305, 1300 Starr Ave, Eau Claire.

Service Information

Celebration of Life

Wednesday, February 1 2017 4:00 PM

VFW Post 305 1300 Starr Avenue Eau Claire WI 54703