Jeffrey T. NICOLAY

Jeffrey NICOLAY Obituary

NICOLAY, Jeffrey T. Jeffrey T. Nicolay, 57 of Bible Hill Road in Claremont, NH died Sunday (September 12, 2010) at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH following a period of failing health. He was born in Hartford, CT on April 13, 1953 the son of Dr. Glen C. and Gayle L. (Sanders) Nicolay and had been a Charlestown resident since the early 1970's, when he moved to Charlestown to help his friend, Philip Haynes, and together they developed the premier hang gliding site in New England on the Haynes Dairy Farm. Jeff later owned and operated what became Morningside Fight Park in Charlestown, NH. His contributions to the sport of hang gliding are numerous and nationally recognized. Jeff loved the outdoors and enjoyed shooting, hunting, fishing, skiing, and racing motorcycles. He considered himself somewhat of a horseman and was proud of the fact that he entered a team of draft horses at the Cornish Fair. He loved to work his team and although his techniques proved to be somewhat amusing to the more experienced horsemen, that never lessened his enthusiasm. Frequent business trips to Puerto Rico often included returning with rescue dogs for adoption. Jeff's salesmanship was very evident in placing these wonderful dogs with family and friends. Members of his family include his wife, Joy (Dumas) Nicolay, Claremont, NH; a daughter, Gisele Dierks, Charlestown, NH; a step son, Shaphan Markelon, Key West, FL; a step daughter, Randyn Markelon, Windsor, CT; two brothers, Michael Nicolay and his wife Jen, Melvin Village, NH; Gregory J. Nicolay, Manchester, CT; three sisters, Glenda Martin and her husband, Tom, West Granby, CT; Susan F. Stetson, Windsor, Locks,CT; Catherine A. Nicolay and her husband, Glenn Shultz, Glastonbury, CT, numerous nieces and nephews as well as a large circle of friends, associates and members of the hang gliding community. He was predeceased by his parents as well as a brother, Christopher B. Nicolay. There will be no visiting hours. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date at a time and place to be announced both in print and on the web at www.flymorningside.com. The family invites you to share a memory of Jeff with them or leave a message of condolence in the family guest book at www.royfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Roy Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 93 Sullivan Street, Claremont, NH.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Hartford Courant on Sep. 15, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Jeffrey NICOLAY

12 Entries

donald samia

January 4, 2011

Wow....Jeff "God Bless You" I remember the day you were teaching me how to paraglide and as we were talking my wing grab air an I did a vertical takeoff to about 80 ft, your eyes were bugging as I looked down and you grabbed your bull horn and with a very excited voice said; "Now stay Calm and listen to me", well you had me flying sideways, and backwards all the while doing a vertical decent to a graceful approach from where I launched (One of the most exhilarating times I've ever had in flight). After that we talked and you had told me about the time it had happened to you and you also did not have a reserve on ("Feeling a little naked up there") as you put it you couldn't get down fast enough. As we said good bye you then said that was some great flying I did and as I recalled I said; All I did was follow "great instructions"!
Be good my friend and where ever you are Im sure your still signing off flight logs !!

Cathy Dunphy

October 26, 2010

Cathy Dunphy

October 26, 2010

Jeff seemed immortal to me. Larger than life. I was in awe of him. He returned the "favor" by teasing me relentlessly and giving me a huge bear hug whenever I saw him. I travelled to San Bernardino with him and spent many a weekend at Morningside. He was a genious with the people he taught and nothing ever escaped his "eye". I was learning to paraglide and he gently but firmly told me what I was doing wrong and then, another bear hug when I did something right. Morningside was a magical place to be because of Jeff. I will miss him deeply.

Pete Casavant

October 3, 2010

I am so shocked and sad that Jeff has left us. I am very glad that Steve has put a slide show on the Morningside website. Jeff you will be missed!

The whole family in the plane, as enroute to Mrnsd

Dan Walker

September 29, 2010

Jeff was a huge part of my life, but I was probably in his actual company less than 100 days over 25 years. I learned to hanglide at Morningside in the mid 80's, then learned to paraglide in the early 90's. My wife, then my kids flew there and all got to know and love Jeff. I really can't believe he won't be there when we next make it back to New Hampshire. He was a great soul, and will be missed. Gigi, we are so sorry for your loss. Lexi, and Sam and all of us send our condolences.

april mackin

September 24, 2010

I enjoyed being around Jeff from the first time I met him. I returned to Morningside to fly and found it to be the best flight park around. Jeff will be very missed by me and I hope he has found peace and happiness! Jeffery you are missed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! April

Debb Szarek

September 21, 2010

To everyone who knew Jeff. He was a man that all men should be. Kind, caring and just fun to be around. He's now flying with the angels and we'll all miss him for the rest of our lives.

Tim Beneski

September 16, 2010

To the Nicolay family, in particular my NWC '83 classmate, Mike, I offer my prayers for you. I know how difficult it is to lose a brother, and I will pray that you always find joy in remembering Jeff. His was a life well-lived. God Bless you all.

Cathy Gwozdz

September 15, 2010

Dear Gisele, Joy, Steve and the rest of the hang gliding community. Art and I have known Jeff sense the beginning of MSFP. I am so so sorry to you all for the loss of a great humble and kind man. I will miss his sense of humor and his hugs he always gave me when ARt and I arrived at the park for a day of flying. The next time we arrive at MSFP will be difficult. As usual I will look for Jeff but then smile because everywhere I look, Jeff's will be there! Everything that is MSFP is Jeff in itself. May God Bless you Jeff and give you a great group of angels to teach how to fly. Cathy Gwozdz

Florence Marino

September 15, 2010

Dear Nicolay Family, As a dear friend of Gayle and Glenn over many years, I send my love and sympathy to all of you. May the happy memories that Jeff has left you give you comfort as you grieve your loss. God bless you all.

September 15, 2010

Dear fellow pilots, friends, family members:

I find it hard to believe that I am writing 'in memoriam' associated with Jeff Nicolay.

How could such a terrific guy, pilot, mentor, etc., pass away so soon...? I just felt a
cold, sharp chill rush through me when I first read that somber news (in a message
sent to me and others by Paul Voight of Fly High Hang Gliding of southern NY).

I am very grateful anew that I met Jeff each time during my 4 visits to Morningside (Hang gliding flight park) since
August 2008. He gently and playfully slapped me when I twice allowed a rented training glider to
blow over, and he was very generous in driving me and my ma up to the 450' launch for my first time just about a year ago.

I learned during my latest visit to Morningside how much that whole site was so much
in Jeff's soul and spirit - if one wants to redefine passion and dedication, look merely to
Jeff Nicolay & Morningside - a terrific match and experiences of decades.

We'll all be gliding and soaring safer than ever, with our latest angel Jeff looking down on us. Keeping
us out of bad air. And not letting a glider I borrowed blow over again.

In Sympathy to Jeff's family, friends, and fellow pilots,

John W. Morse

(Hang Two - rated trainee pilot)

Albany area NY