Nicholas Babich

Nicholas Babich, 95, of Orlando. Florida, died on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, peacefully at home. Nicholas was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey on March 29, 1930, the son of Sidor and Natasha Babich. He was one of nine children, predeceased by his siblings Victor, John, Michael, Sophie, Alexander, Frank, Mary, and James.

Nicholas graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Elizabeth. He went to work at the Singer Company as an apprentice toolmaker. Nicholas joined the United States Air Force during the onset of the Korean War and was stationed in Okinawa.

In 1951, Nicholas married the only one true love of his life, Gloria Ann Doyle. They began dating in Junior High School in Elizabeth. After leaving the Air Force, Nicholas returned to work at the Singer Company and went to night school for 11 years, earning his Bachelor’s Degree and Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Newark College of Engineering (New Jersey Institute of Technology).

In 1966, Nicholas joined Hitchiner Manufacturing in Milford, New Hampshire as General Manager. In 1972, he joined Leesona Corporation and moved the family to Narragansett, Rhode Island, which they all loved and stayed there for many years. In 1981, Nicholas returned to Hitchiner Manufacturing as President until his retirement in 1995, while retaining his Narragansett home. Soon after retiring, Nicholas and Gloria bought another home in Orlando, Florida.

Nicholas’s primary focus was always for the love of Gloria and his family, always putting their needs ahead of his own. He took great joy and pleasure in helping out his family, giving them health, wealth, and happiness as much as he could. Nicholas is survived by his wife of 74 years, Gloria, and his children Gregory, Tamara, and Glenn. He was predeceased by his daughter Donna. He is survived by seven grandchildren, Shannon, Natalie, Megan, Nicole, Kelly, Christopher, and Kevin, and one great grandchild Ryan.

A private family celebration of life will be held later this year.