Obituary of Michael Joseph Wicks

Michael Joseph Wicks of Scotia, NY died on Monday evening, December 15, 2014 at the Ellis Hospital in Schenectady. Michael was born on February 14, 1945 in Scotia, NY. He was the son of Jean and William Wicks. He graduated from Scotia-Glenville High School in 1963 with Honors; the Crane School of Music in Potsdam, NY in 1968 with High Honors; and Union College in Schenectady in 1975 with a Master’s of Science for Teachers. He was a member of the Albany Musicians Union and Vice President of the Musician’s Union of Schenectady NY. He spent his career as a performer and educator in many genres of music in the capitol district. He taught students of all ages as well as 30 years of teaching music at Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth. Since 1988, he was the studio instructor for double bass at Schenectady County Community College. Michael was a past member of the Albany Symphony Orchestra, Berkshire Symphony and Glens Falls Symphony and was a current member of the Schenectady Symphony, Utica Symphony and Catskill Symphony Orchestras. Michael loved performing on any stage at any time. Amongst all his musical adventures, Michael especially enjoyed performing musical theater productions. He was part of many shows at Proctors and The Capitol Repertory Theater including “Ragtime,” “Annie”, “Peter Pan” and “Wicked” and also performed at many other local theaters. For many years, Michael was the first call bassist for many jazz artists in the Capital District including Nick Brignola, Peg Delaney, Leo Russo and Lee Shaw as well as fronting his own original jazz quintet. He also played with nationally known jazz artists Phil Woods, Chet Baker, Doc Cheatham, Bill Watrous, Sal Nestico and Zoot Sims. In addition he enjoyed sharing the stage with such mainstream acts as The Platters, Florence Henderson, Rita Moreno, Debbie Reynolds, and Jim Neighbors to name a few. Michael was an avid hiker and skier and was known as the “Ski Wiz”. He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. Michael is survived by his wife Harriet Wilder Wicks, sons Nathaniel Wicks, Michael Wicks, Gary Wicks (Beth Sandor), and daughter Wendy Fiol (Anthony Fiol) and 8 grandchildren, Corey, Colton, Emma and Ella Wicks, Elijah and Joelle Fiol, R. Van and Siena Wicks. Services at Levine Memorial Chapel. 649 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY on Wednesday December 17, 2014 at 1:00 pm. Interment will follow in the Beth Emeth Cemetery, Loudonville, NY. In lieu of flowers those wishing to remember Michael in a special way may make a memorial contribution to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 1848, Longmont, Colorado 80502(www.npcf.us) or a charity of your choice.