Charles “Rock” Nickolay, age 88, of New Prague, died peacefully surrounded by his family, Wednesday November 18, 2015, at Traditions of Montgomery.  Rock was born October 4, 1927, in New Prague to John F.and Bessie (Bazil) Nickolay.  He attended St. Wenceslaus Catholic School and graduated from New PragueHigh School.  Rock served in the US Army as a paratrooper as part of the Occupation Forces in Japan.  He married Gladys C. Soulek on September 9, 1950, at Holy Redeemer Church in Montgomery.  Rock was the owner/operator of “Rock’s Place” for 27 years and then worked at MVE/Chart for the next 12 years before retiring.  He was a member of the New Prague Fire Dept. for over 27 years and a member of the New Prague Veterans Honor Guard.  Rock was an avid golfer, twice the club champ and a one-time senior champ at the New Prague Golf Club.  He proudly served on the football chain gang for New Prague High School for over 50 years.  His interests were many, including gardening and playing euchre and a lifelong love of deer hunting and fishing.

Rock is survived by his wife of 65 years, Gladys, of New Prague; children, Deb (& Virgil) Pint of New Prague, Kathy (& Al) Kramer of Eagan, Chuck (& Barb) of New Prague, Mary (& Dave) Pass of Shakopee; 12 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; sisters, Lucille Nickolay, Rita Gaertner, Ruth (& Frank) Huber; brothers, John, Francis, George, William (& JoAnn).  He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Donald at age 6 and Richard in infancy.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, November 21, 2105, at 10:00 AM at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church with Father David Barrett officiating.  Visitation will occur Friday from 4 – 8 PM and Saturday from 7:30 –  9:30 AM at Bruzek Funeral Home.  Burial will follow Mass at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery immediately after Mass, where military honors will be conducted. Lunch will follow at the New Prague Golf Club.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful caregivers who so lovingly cared for Rock at Traditions of Montgomery.