Nicholas was born to Peter Prioli and Wanda Burszta Prioli in Newark NJ and grew up in Maplewood. He worked his way through college attending Michigan State University and the University of Pennsylvania Medical School and the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. He married Helen Claire Gayda in the early 1950’s and resided in the Iron Bound section of Newark, NJ. He served in the Army Reserves while starting a family and attaining his degree.  In 1955 went to work for Schering Plough Corporation in Bloomfield, NJ as a pharmacologist doing research and development mainly in the area of cardiovascular medications.  In 1963 he moved to Jackson, NJ with his family settling into the Brookwood 4 Development where he has resided ever since.  He made a daily commute of nearly 120 miles roundtrip for more than 20 years.  In the 1980’s Nick’s laboratory moved to Kenilworth, NJ shortening his daily commute to merely 90 miles and he remained with Schering Plough until his retirement in 1999.

Nicholas served on the Schering Plough Fire Brigade, first in Bloomfield from the 1970’s and then in Kenilworth until his retirement in 1999.  He took all available fire training and served as an officer.  He was a qualified CPR first aid instructor and medic with the Schering Plough Fire Brigade.

Nick has been active in St. Veronica’s RC Church community in Howell, NJ from 1963 until his passing.  He served in the Holy Name Society as a past president and treasurer; as an usher; and worked with the finance office as a collections counter on a weekly basis.

Helen passed away in 1993 after a struggle with cancer that saw Nick as her primary caregiver around the clock for more than two months.  He did this tirelessly, with love and dedication.

Nicholas joined the Jackson Township Fire Company #1/Station 55 family in late 1994. It did not take long for him to become “Pop” as he has been known almost from the very first day.   He had continued as an active member ever since.  He served as the Hall Rental Manager and made it a thriving enterprise all the way up to the Covid-19 Pandemic when public rentals were suspended.  He had taken all available firematic and rescue training that was available.  He had served as the CPR and First Aide Instructor, Company Vice President, Treasurer “for life”, Safety Officer and was an Honorary Chief of the company.  He spent countless hours at the fire house and had become a fixture.  He could be found any time of the day or night there and was always available to his firehouse family and, in fact, his own family most often visited with him at the fire house because that was where “Pop” could be found.

He also served actively on the Howell Township First Aid Squad from 1994 to the time of his passing.  He offered CPR and First Aide training for the First Aid Squad and various other first responders in the area.

On February 11, 2020, the Jackson Township Mayor and Council issued a proclamation declaring:  “in honor of his many years of exemplary service to Jackson Fire Station 55, for the unlimited amount of help he is always there to give and for the friendship that he has extended to all of us throughout the years, we do hereby proclaim Feb. 11, 2020 as “Chief Nicholas Prioli Day” in Jackson Township and encourage all citizens to pay special tribute to this very special member of our community.”  The Council session took place on Nick’s 88 birthday and was celebrated by some family members, his “Fighting 55th” family, friends and township residents.  At the conclusion of the Council Session, Mayor Michael Reina stated “we all came together to celebrate his 88th birthday and celebrate the achievements of the oldest firefighter in Jackson.  That is what matters!”

Nicholas “Pop” Prioli passed away on Saturday morning October 23, 2021 just after having responded to a motor vehicle accident in Jackson Township.  It was his last call and his immediate family, his “Fighting 55th” family and all who knew him, know that Pop was doing what he loved to do, needed to, what he wanted to do, and was dedicated to doing for his community.  He will be forever loved and forever missed.

Nicholas was predeceased by his wife Helen Claire Gayda Prioli, his eldest son Martin Prioli and his daughter, Elenita Prioli Biazzo and his grandson, Daniel. He is survived by his sisters, Katherine Prioli Siemann and Patricia Magliaro and her husband Emil, a daughter, Karen Drago Felts and her husband Ernest Felts; his son Christopher Prioli and his wife Linda; his daughter, Regina Sicilia and her husband Michael; his son Steven Prioli and his wife Jamie; his daughter, Lisa Prioli Burnside; his daughter Rita Jennings and her husband Robert; and his son Joseph and his wife Sheryl.  He is also survived by his grandchildren: Rick and his wife Susan; John David and his wife Michelle; Michael Robert; Angelica and her husband John; James; Terence; Katherine Mae; Matthew James and his wife, Alyson; Sarah “Sally” and her partner Katrina; Brian and his wife Tara; Pamela Claire and her husband Kyle; Maria and her husband David; Ian Nicholas; Timothy James; Patricia; John “Jack”; Thomas and his wife, Kelly; Kelly; Kevin; Nicole Anne; John Paul “JP”; Joseph; Nicholas; Catherine; Elizabeth and Mark.  He is also survived by his great grandchildren: Shane; Lauren; Natalie; Dorian; Kainoa; Moira; Kieran; Samuel “Sam”; Keira; Michael “Mikey”; Nikolas; Callie Mae and Loren Avery.   He is also survived by countless nieces and nephews.

It is requested that donations in lieu of flowers be made to the Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Company #1/Station 55, 113 North New Prospect Road, Jackson, NJ 08527.