Nicholas Richard Galante, 63, of Columbia, died Thursday, March 31, 2016. Born in New York City, he was a son of the late Nicholas and Elizabeth Schilling Galante. He was a Lt. paramedic and a member of St. John Neumann Catholic Church.

Survivors include his wife, Melanie Ann Presta Galante; sons, Nicholas James (Cille) Galante, James Richard (Mindy Risvold) Galante, Patrick Joseph (Morgan) Galante; grandchildren, Isabella James Galante and Patrick Michael Galante, all of Columbia; brothers, Richard Esoff of Columbia and Joseph Galante of New Fairfield, CT; sister, Elizabeth Esoff of Malone, NY, Carmel Portaro of Ocala, FL.

Nicholas was an entrepreneur before finding his calling as a paramedic, serving in the supervisory role of Lieutenant for Emergency Medical Services, Station 18 Harlem. He enjoyed sports, especially football, politics, arguing with his wife, and spending time with his family most of all.

A service of celebration will be held 6 o'clock, Thursday, April 7th, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Extension, Columbia, with the Rev. Fr. C. Alexander McDonald officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 5 o'clock. Memorials may be made to The Animal Mission, 127 Humane Lane, Columbia, SC, 29209.