Nicanor Aja, Jr.

SOUTH BURLINGTON - Nicanor Aja, Jr., 93, formerly of Wildersburg Common, and East Barre, died Friday, May 7, 2021, at South Harbor in South Burlington.  His family was at his bedside.

Nicanor was born in Barre in June of 1927, the son of Nicanor and Carlotta (Sassi) Aja.  He attended East Barre schools and Spaulding High School.

He was inducted into the U.S. Navy in July of 1945, one week after his father passed away.  He became a member of the Seabees and was later stationed in Guam.

Nicanor, better known as “Nick”, and his loving wife, Claire (Lemieux) enjoyed many summers spent with their family on Lake Morey and later at their cottage on Lake Champlain.  They owned and operated a successful antique shop at their home in East Barre for several years.  Sunday outings with his family and spending time with his three granddaughters brought him great joy.

He was employed by the Barre Granite City Creamery and later at Norwich University for 45 years as the butcher, and later in the food services department with Marriott.

Nicanor was predeceased by his wife, Claire of 62 years in 2010.

Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his brothers, Marcelino, Peter, and Paul and his sister, Flores Cummings.

Survivors include his daughter Joanne Aja and her husband, Ian Chisholm, of South Burlington; his two sons, Harwood Aja and his wife, Jane, and David Aja and his wife, Shari, both of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina; three granddaughters, Heather, Alexis and Kelli as well as three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Nicanor will be interred at the Hope Cemetery in Barre, Vermont.  At his request, no public services will be held.

Memorial donations can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation at www.michaeljfox.org .