Junior A. 'Mr. Nick' Naccarato, 77

TJunior A. "Mr. Nick" Naccarato, 77, retired Sandpoint teacher and principal, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

A visitation will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2006, at Coffelt's Funeral Chapel in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Rosary services will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 26., at Coffelt's Funeral Chapel. Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 27, 2006, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Sandpoint.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 27, at Evergreen Cemetery in Priest River.

The son of Med and Eva Naccarato, he was born in his parents' house on March 26, 1928, in Priest River, Idaho. It was there he stayed until his graduation from Priest River High School in 1946.

He then worked as a logger, saving money in order to attend Gonzaga University, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in history and participated in Intercollegiate Knights.

He served an 18-month tour of duty in the Korean War.

Upon his return, he started his teaching career at Sandpoint High School. From there, he became a teaching vice principal at Sandpoint Junior High School. He was actively involved in setting up the curriculum for the Bonner County School District's junior high program, and his work helped him to earn a master's degree in education from Gonzaga University. During the tenure of his career, he worked as the principal at Washington, Northside, old Farmin and new Farmin schools.

During this time, he spent several years as commanding officer of the local U.S. Army Reserve, Cubmaster of Boy Scout Pack 120, and worked for the U.S. Forest Service for 15 years.

Capt. Naccarato was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Sandpoint Elks Lodge for many years.

As a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, he served numerous years as eucharistic minister. He also was past president of the Region 1, Idaho Elementary Principals Association.

Mr. Nick served on a wide variety of local committees over his lifetime, all aimed at the improvement of life in Bonner County and the betterment of its school system.

Junior Naccarato is survived by his wife, Mary Lee, of Sandpoint; and their three sons, Dr. Shawn Naccarato of Kuna, Idaho, Terry Naccarato of Billings, Mont., and Chris Naccarato of Sandpoint. He has seven grandchildren, Sean, Ryan, Emily, Anthony, Cameron, Savanna and Garrett. Junior Naccarato also is survived by two sisters, Avis Anselmo and Noreen Simpkins of Priest River, Idaho.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.