NICHOLAS NEILIO, III October 19, 1948 - March 2, 2023 Nicholas "Nick" Neilio, III, aged 74, Clayton NJ, passed away March 2, 2023 in the arms of his loved ones, after a long and courageous struggle against a series of illnesses. Nick was born and raised in Pitman, graduating Pitman H.S. in 1967, where he played an integral role on its Tri-County Championship Football Team. Nick is survived by his beloved wife Joanne (née Page), and will be dearly missed by sons Dan (Donna) Nicholas IV (Jennifer) and daughter Angela (Joe); and leaves grandchildren Ashleigh, Brooke, Aiden and Nick V, to mourn their "Grampy's" passing, as well as lifelong friends Barry and Pat. The son of the late Nicholas "Pop" Neilio, Jr. and Christine M. (née Elliott), Nick III was a long-time Pitman resident, one of the founders of Pitman Soccer Association (where he was in his glory!), tirelessly serving as President and League Commissioner for many years, as well as coaching several teams. Nick was a US Navy veteran, proudly serving on the supercarrier USS Saratoga (CV-60) during the Viet Nam War, and was a member of VFW Post 1616, Williamstown, NJ and The American Legion Post 1000, Trenton, NJ. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Nick worked for many years for Bell Telephone Co., before founding and operating "Soccer City" in Berlin NJ, his "dream job." Nick will forever be known as a "friend's friend" to his many lifetime friends, neighbors and acquaintances. There was never anything Nick wouldn't do for his friends. Don't ever tell Nick you need something - because he could show up on your doorstep the next day. If he couldn't do it himself- he'd say "I know this guy who does." Nick's enduring epitaph, in the face of overwhelming illnesses over his last years, was his desire to remain strong as the anchor of the family- to fight until the very end. Visitation will be held on Tuesday March 7, 2023. Friends may greet the family from 9:30 – 11:00 AM with services to follow at Kelley Funeral Home, 125 Pitman Ave, Pitman, NJ 08071, (856) 589-6308. Interment will follow at Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 240 N Tuckahoe Rd, Williamstown, NJ 08094. Memories may be shared at www.kelleyfhpitman.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Nick's favorite charity- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), 3401 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104.