By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
As he has done for more than 50 years, George Nicholson was passing out slices of his speciality “Crazy George” pizza on Wednesday. Even as Bowling Green gathered to say thanks to the man behind Pagliai’s Pizza, Nicholson was still giving back.
Fans of Pagliai’s, and of Nicholson himself, packed into the pizza shop’s parking lot to let Nicholson know that they appreciated all he had given to the community.
Nicholson, who has terminal cancer, reacted to the crowd as he does with everything else – with an easy laugh, a quick wit, and stories about feeding Bowling Green for more than five decades, including during the blizzard of 1978.
Many of those gathered had once tossed or delivered pizzas for Nicholson. Others were regulars at the restaurant. And others benefitted from Nicholson’s generosity to the community.
Mayor Mike Aspacher – who worked at Pagliai’s in the late 1970s and early 1980s – read aloud a proclamation declaring Wednesday as “George Nicholson Day” in Bowling Green.
Aspacher recalled meeting with Nicholson before his first day on the job delivering pizzas.
“He told me to go home and study the map,” the mayor said. “I’m proud to say I’m an ex-employee of Pagliai’s Pizza.”
Everyone had a personal story about Nicholson’s impact on their lives.
Amanda Gamby said her mom, Linda Bradford, used to eat lunch at Pagliai’s everyday until she passed away a few years ago.
“She had her own pizza,” Gamby said of her mom’s favorite screen crust pizza with ranch dressing, extra cheese and mushrooms. “They would start making it before she got there.”
When her mom died, Nicholson sent flowers, came to the funeral home with Pagliai’s employees, and put up a message about her mom on the restaurant’s marquee.
“It’s that sense of people taking care of each other,” Gamby said.
Thom and Wendy Headley came Wednesday to let Nicholson know how much he means to Bowling Green.
“We’re here for George and his history, and the good he has done for the community,” Wendy Headley said.
“This is such a great time to give a tribute,” Thom Headley said. “It’s nice to do it while he’s still here.”
Tim Harris recalled Nicholson’s wit.
“Everytime he came into the bank, he brought his dog,” Harris said. And within seconds, the entire building was talking and laughing with Nicholson.
Gene Klotz gave some acreage to Nicholson’s Boy Scout troop to plant vegetables on. The Scouts would sell their produce in front of the pizza shop.
“We became friends that way,” Klotz said.
When Klotz Flowers celebrated its 100th anniversary, it was a no-brainer to ask Nicholson to prepare the meal. Klotz knew Pagliai’s could handle spaghetti dinners for 180 people.
Klotz’s favorite pizza is the “Crazy George” special – with onions, green peppers and sausage. He admitted to ordering from other pizza shops in town about five times in his lifetime.
“Anytime I did, I felt guilty,” Klotz said with a grin.
Brittany Dunn came on Wednesday to show appreciation to the man who had made a difference in many lives.
“My dad goes way back with George, with baseball,” Dunn said. “He’s just a one-of-a-kind guy.”
City Council President Mark Hollenbaugh – another former pizza employee – told Nicholson that every year when he puts up Christmas lights he remembers the year when he was on the restaurant roof and Nicholson was on a ladder, trying to sort out the red from green lights.
“And I was colorblind,” Nicholson said, laughing.
“All these years, you are still my favorite boss. And that includes working for Chip Myles,” Hollenbaugh said.
The proclamation issued by the mayor talked of Nicholson’s immeasurable contributions to the Bowling Green community through his accomplishments as a business owner, a community advocate and generous donor, a volunteer, and a person of outstanding character and faith.
“The Bowling Green community owes a debt of gratitude to Sal Pagliai who, as George describes him ‘…took a chance on a 19-year old, snot-nosed kid that could work hard…’ and sent George to Bowling Green to set up a Pagliai’s location.”
“With that decision, Bowling Green, Ohio, became a better place because George Nicholson put down business and family roots here and through his work and actions, improved this community in numerous ways,” Aspacher said.
The proclamation continues:
“Pagliai’s Pizza and Campus Pollyeyes are iconic Bowling Green locations where families and community gather. George has shown ingenuity in his approach to business – sharing his unique personality, employing and teaching a tremendous work ethic, and running a successful business for over 50 years.
“In addition to his impressive professional accomplishments, George is a tireless community supporter who has benefitted numerous groups including (but certainly not limited to) BG Little League Baseball, Bowling Green High School Baseball, Boy Scouts, St. Mark’s Church, and numerous groups affiliated with Bowling Green City Schools.
“George’s generosity to the community was not done for his personal glory, in fact many of his contributions were silent, but because he is a man who believes that a rising tide raises all ships and in all of his actions in business, in community, and with his family, sought to raise others and enjoyed and celebrated their successes.
“Bowling Green is indeed a fortunate community to count George Nicholson as a member and this place, this town, is better because of him – and his good works and deeds have left a lasting legacy for which we are all tremendously grateful.”
