Nicholas K. Condrell, retired confectioner, ran ice cream parlors

C o n d re l l

Nicholas K. Condrell, 99, of Amherst, a confectioner who once owned the Garden of Sweets and Condrell's Candies, died Saturday, Oct. 28, 2006.

Born in Mytilene, Greece, Mr. Condrell had recently celebrated his 100th year with friends and family at an ice cream social in honor of his years serving the community through his ice cream parlors.

Arriving in Buffalo in 1919 at the age of 13, he worked for his brother Paul at the Alcobar ice cream parlor and luncheonette in Kenmore. He hand-delivered ice cream throughout the Village of Kenmore on his bicycle.

He married Mary Liakeas in 1936. The two opened The Garden of Sweets on Bailey Avenue in 1939. Whether he was making fine chocolates or serving fancy ice cream concoctions, Mr. Condrell was known to always be dressed in an impeccable white dress shirt and tie.

The store was sold, and after a brief retirement, Mr. Condrell opened Condrell's Candies on Delaware Avenue in 1969, returning to his hometown of Kenmore.

Both ice cream parlours featured fantastic sundaes named after the local schools. First, the Kensington and Bennett, and later the Kenmore East and Kenmore West sundaes. He was known for his 3-foot-tall chocolate Easter bunnies and incredibly rich hot fudge sauce.

Mr. Condrell was a huge sports fan, especially of the Kenmore High School football and basketball teams. He had attended the Kenmore schools and was known to go to almost every game they played throughout his lifetime.

Mr. Condrell is survived by a son, Dr. Kenneth N.; four daughters, Diane Yianilos, Maryann Notaro, Anne Magnini and Gloria; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday in Hellenic Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, Delaware Avenue and Utica Street.