Gilbert Nieves

Gilbert Nieves passed away surrounded by family on September 2, 2025. In Gilberts own words:

“I was born on February 11th, 1946 in a small place called Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. I was young when I first came to the states back in 1952. As a small child I remember playing Johnny on the Pony, Kick the Can, Stickball, Skelly, flipping baseball cards, dangerous daredevil, and any ball game you can imagine. My younger years were hectic times.

I am a dog lover, and always have been. My first dog was a Saint Bernard and my final dog was Fay. I had to work to support my family when we came to the United States and have worked ever since.

I joined the Marine Corp as a mortician during the Vietnam War. I guarded and cared for the dead. My platoon were my friends. During my service times, there was a lot of hatred and discrimination. My next career was the Sanitation department in New York City. I loved to keep the Earth clean and helped my neighbors remain clean as well. I was always sweeping the sidewalk, planting flowers, shoveling the snow and raking the leaves”.

In 1958-59 I lost my grandfather, in 1979 I lost my mother, and many more family members to follow. My biggest heartbreak was when I lost my eldest son in 2004 resulting from a war.

I considered myself to be rather handsome in my youth. I just waited for the girls to come to me but my wife was something special. Her sister organized our meeting and I fell fast for her, she was the love of my life. I told her she would grow to love me and that's what she did. She was my world, and gave me my 10 beautiful children. I have accomplished so much in my life. I was the first in my family to obtain a college degree or any degree for that matter. I purchased homes in which to gear my children to bright futures. 9 of my children have college degrees in the medical field, education, or police enforcement. I have accomplished all I need and want in my life. I lived my life on a day to day basis until it was my time. I never feared death and lived my life.

I don't bother about my physical health. I am not really a healthy man in the typical sense since I consider myself to be in the age where I am preparing to retire from the planet. In this stage of my life I just take pleasure in the small things and enjoy feeling younger than my age because that means I am beating old age and I like to maintain that feeling by remaining active.

Advice I wanted to pass along is to talk to us, ask us about our youth since it makes us remember the good and the bad and makes us feel younger. To the younger generations that come after me, be positive and believe in yourself, go to school, think before acting out, don't let your emotions control you and know your self worth as those who work hard will survive.

Gilbert Nieves is survived by his beautiful wife, Maria Nieves. Also, 9 of his children, Maria Wayman, Gilbert Nieves, Priscilla Scutt, Gwendolyn Nieves, Kimberly Shouk, Doreen Nieves, Kevin Nieves, Victoria Nieves, and Nicholas Nieves. He was also survived by his in-laws Daniel Wayman, Kelly Nieves, Kinan Shouk, Dan Scutt, Robert Byler, and Khin Nieves. The apple of his eyes were his grandchildren. Makayla Wayman, Katie Wayman, Drake Nieves, Isaac Nieves, Alannah Nieves, Elayne Nieves, Myah Shouk, Jaylen Shouk, Ezekiel Nieves-Byler, Micah Joel Nieves-Byler, Malachi Nieves-Byler, Zaira Nieves, Crixus Nieves, and Zelda Nieves. He was known as Chiro Nieves to his family and friends due to his uncanny winning streak in all games he played. He was known as The Chameleon to his grandchildren due to his attitude and social skills.

As dad would always say, “unbelievable,” “Let’s go to Boscos,”and “Maria, where’s my coffee?” Mom will eventually get her eyes checked, the bus is worth 6.5 million dollars, Doreen’s car will always be a mess, Kimberly and Shouk will always try to take ya’ll to Florida, Gwen will continue to make you drink water, it is always getting late at Nick’s house, Kevin and Khin will bring over Fay and there will always be toys on the floor.

Quotes:

Maria C. Nieves: “I love you and I always will. You will always be my shining star. You’re the love of my life and we’ll meet up once again and I will cook you lunch and bring you coffee. You gave me 10 wonderful, beautiful, intelligent, handsome, gorgeous, sharing and caring children whom we made together. You will be remembered by them.”

Kimberly Shouk: “Dad, you were never alone. Your handsomeness was always contagious. Your good looks rubbed off on me the most. I’m getting the DNA test today and will let you know.”

Nicholas Nieves: “What’s sweeter than a doughnut, me!”

Victoria Nieves: “When I come to see you again, I’ll help you cheat at Dominoes again.”

Priscilla Scutt: “Dad I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for your encouragement to continue my education and strive for excellence in my nursing career. Your positive influence has touched every aspect of my life, and I am grateful for your unconditional love and support. I love you always, Dad.”

Gilberto Nieves: “We may not have always seen eye to eye on certain things; however, we always loved each other. The purpose of life is not solely to be happy but rather to be useful, honorable, compassionate, and make a difference that you lived and lived well. You lived a great life making a significant impact on and through your family. We can only hope to live up to that standard. Love you dad. Tell Isaac I said hi, and I’ll try to make you both proud.”

Kevin Nieves: “Dad you've helped make me the man I am today. Because of you I am a better man, a better father. I will always love you and cannot wait to share my life stories when we finally meet again. Rest easy Dad. I will always love you and will always share your stories with your grandchildren, your memory not to be forgotten.

Doreen “Bacon” Nieves: “The boys are proud to announce they are practicing saving water, the toilet doesn’t always need to be flushed. You always looked better than Montel Williams.”

Gwendolyn Nieves: “Why would a man go to a plastic surgeon? How the hell would I know… I’m handsome.”

Maria Wayman: “From the bottom of my Heart...❤...To the tips of my toes 👣 I Love You!”

Dan Wayman: “Unbelievable.”

Dad, you finally got your peanut butter and jelly sandwich, just keep it away from Juju.

Visiting will be Wednesday September 3, 2025 at 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm and Thursday September 4, 2025 at 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm at DeMunn Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 36 Conklin Avenue Binghamton, New York 13903. Funeral Service will be Thursday September 4, 2025 at 5:00 pm DeMunn Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 36 Conklin Avenue Binghamton, New York 13903. Burial will be on Friday September 5, 2025 at 9:30am with military honors Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd, Schuylerville, NY 12871. Funeral services entrusted to DeMunn Funeral Home and Cremation Service. To forward condolences, please visit www.demunn.com