Richard Albert Nicinski, 83, of New Bern died suddenly Thursday August 6, 2026, at CarolinaEast Medical Center with his brothers, daughter, granddaughter and son-in-law by his side listening to his favorite opera music and singing along to his favorite musical. Richard’s daughter Laura said, “Daddy kept his wonderful joy and great sense of humor throughout his final days including charming the entire Staff at Carolina East’s ICU.” This family laughs a lot.

Visitation of Friends is Wednesday, August 12, 2026 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Oscar’s Memorial Chapel 1700 Oscar Drive, New Bern. In lieu of flowers donations should go to Blood Cancer and Alzheimer’s research, in Richard's Memory.

A Mass will be planned at Saint Paul’s Roman Catholic Church, 3005 Country Club Road, New Bern, North Carolina in Memory of Richard and the love of his life Diana Mary Gorman.

Richard will be buried at Garden of Heaven Cemetery Hawthorne, New York next to his beloved wife, Diana.

Richard was born in Summit, New Jersey to Theodore and Mary Nicinski. He grew up and attended public school in Union, New Jersey. Per his Mom, he was the helping son especially with his baby twin brothers. His high school aspiration was to be involved with the New York Stock Exchange, but by being a New York CPA this was close enough. As a teenager, he was also interested in stamp collecting and U.S. coin collecting. He pursued both in a limited manner over the years.

Richard attended Rutgers University, at the Newark Campus and graduated with a B.A. in Economics. Richard enlisted into the U.S. Coast Guard in 1965, served as a Port Security Man, and was Honorably Discharged as a Second Class Port Securityman in 1970.

After USCG duty, he continued his studies in accounting and eventually became a Certified Public Accountant. He became a traveling accountant for both Phelps Dodge Corporation and The New York Times Corporation visiting and auditing their various facilities.

In retirement Richard taught at the Craven County Community College as well as teaching Economics at the local high school.

In the early years with his wife Diana, Richard did some amateur photography, and they both really enjoyed visiting the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, The Brooklyn Art museum, attending the opera and Broadway shows in New York City when they lived in Brooklyn, New York. They discovered New Bern while touring The South and just adored this sweet town so much that they purchased a home and later retired to New Bern.

Richard was always making friends and bringing joy wherever he went during his life.

Music was very important to him. He learned to play the piano so he could play for his late wife while she was in memory care. He was quite good.

After being married for 42 years and caring for Diana for her last 5 years at Home Place; Richard continued to volunteer and visit after her passing in 2025. His heart was broken.

Richard is survived by his two brothers Charles Nicinski, Ocala, Florida, Steven Nicinski, Yorba Linda, California; his daughter, Laura Nicinski Cotten and son-in-law, Todd, Jacksonville, Florida; his two grandchildren, Trinity Cotten and Alexandra Cotten.

PAID OBITUARY