On February 15, Nicolas Nieves celebrated his 105th birthday among family and friends at his home on Driggs Avenue in Southside Williamsburg. According to his son, Wilfredo, this address has been his home since he arrived in Williamsburg in the 1930’s. That puts Nicolas here before the Brooklyn Queens Expressway was established.
Family, faith, and work are of the utmost importance to Nicolas. When asked what was the most important thing he has learned from his father, Fred said, “Work ethic and responsibility to the family.”
Nicolas was born in Puerto Rico in 1919 and was one of sixteen children. When he arrived in Williamsburg he was surrounded by family. “Aunts, uncles, the whole family,” said Wilfredo. Nicolas married the love of his life, Rosa, and they became parents. He adored her throughout their 78 years of marriage, until she passed away last year.
Saints Peter and Paul RC Church was Nicolas’s spiritual home. Wilfredo said, “He was very dedicated and went seven days a week and used to clean the church on Sundays. He was a member of the Holy Name Society.” Nicolas hasn’t been able to go to church since he lost the ability to walk, but the family visits and they worship together on Sundays.
In his youth, he worked on farms. Once in Brooklyn, he took a job at the Leviton Factory (276 Greenpoint Avenue). He worked there for 45 years until he hit retirement age and they gave him a gold watch. “He didn’t want the gold watch. He didn’t want to retire; he wanted to keep on working,” said Fred. He would go on to become the super of his building.
He also participated in community activism and helping the less fortunate with Southside United HDFC—Los Sures. Rosa, his wife, was a board member of the organization for 38 years. With her he formed a tenant association in their building because the landlords were taking advantage of them and the other tenants.
Nicolas also knows how to have fun. He had a reputation of being a great domino player in the neighborhood, at a time when dominoes were a social phenomenon on many a street corner. He also loves to sing. He still sings and his home care attendants sing along with him.
“He’s still sharp at 105. He was a go-getter. Never drank,” said Wilfredo. “He eats rice and beans every day. Sometimes with chicken, sometimes with fish,” said Wilfredo revealing the possible secret to Nicolas’s longevity. Wilfredo also offered that two of his uncles made it to over 100, and many of his dad’s other siblings lived past 90. “I am so blessed to have a wonderful father,” said Wilfredo.
The Greenline 