NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Niagara men's basketball great and former NBA player Emilio "Zeke" Sinicola ('51) passed away on Monday morning at the Veterans Hopsital in New York City after a brief illness.  

"Zeke", as he was popularly known, became the first Niagara player to pass the 1,000 career-point mark and finished his career with 1,188 points, which was then a Western New York record. Sinicola played for Niagara from 1948-51 where he was a member of Niagara's first-ever NIT team, accomplishing the feat as junior in 1950.

As a senior, Sinicola earned All-American honors from the Sporting News (second team), Helms Foundation (third team) and Converse Yearbook (fourth team). Sinicola's No. 19 jersey is one of five retired numbers hanging from the ceiling at the Gallagher Center. The trio of Sinicola (19), Tom Birch (11) and Jim Moran (21) all had their jerseys retired following their senior season in 1951 after they carried Niagara to a 62-24 record in three years.

"This is a sad day for Niagara Basketball," Niagara head coach Joe Mihalich said. "Zeke Sinicola is someone who put Niagara Basketball on the map and we will always be indebted to Zeke for his contributions to the Purple Eagles."

After graduating with a BS in economics Sinicola was drafted by the Fort Wayne Pistons in the 1951  NBA draft where he played until 1954.  Sinicola was elected to the Niagara Hall of Fame in 1967.   He continued as an active athlete for most of his adult life playing softball with various teams on Long Island and in New Jersey well into his fifties.   In 1985 he was inducted into the Long Island District 8 Amateur Softball Association Hall of Fame.   As a youngster Zeke had been standout athlete at Benjamin Franklin High School in East Harlem and in 2005 the New York Athletic Club honored Sinicola by naming him to the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame. 

Sinicola was born on January 25, 1929 to Giovamina Durante and Francesco Sinicola, the third of four children.   Except for a tour of duty with the US Army in Korea, Sinicola lived in the neighborhood where he grew up.  After his basketball days he enjoyed a varied and rewarding career that included serving as a recreation manager with the NYC Parks Department; an elementary school teacher; and, an independent retailer.   Of these he often said that teaching a class of fifth graders brought the greatest joy.  In his later years he discovered another joy -- writing fiction.  Shortly before his illness he put the finishing touches on the last of three novels.

In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his first wife Rose, a son Robert ('76), and a sister, Helen Barone.  He is survived by Melba Clemente Sinicola, his wife of 18 years, his son Joseph, a brother Joseph, and a sister Marie Riccardi.       Also surviving are four grandsons Christopher, Robert, Michael and Joseph and two daughters-in-law, Judith Hayes Sinicola Rees ('76), and Margaret Conway Sinicola.

A Celebration of Life Mass was offered at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on East 116th Street, Manhattan followed by interment at Woodlawn Cemetery.