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John Nicholson Obituary
Raleigh
Raleigh - John R. Nicholson, Jr, 41, of Raleigh died Sunday, February 20, 2011 at Duke Medical Center, due to complications from pneumonia.
John was born and grew up in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, where he graduated from Grosse Pointe South High School. He also graduated from Bowdoin College, cum laude in 1991, and received his law degree from the University of Michigan in 2000.
John was working for Merrill-Lynch as financial advisor in Raleigh, where he was enjoying using his gifts and being with people.
He is survived by his wife, Kelly Lineweaver Nicholson, two sons, John Ruthrauff Nicholson, III and William Dibblee Nicholson all of Raleigh; his parents, John and Suzanne Nicholson of Grosse Pointe, MI; his twin sister Anne Nicholson Fitzpatrick, her husband Paul and their children, Connor, Clare, Grace, and Jack of Arlington, VA; his sister Katherine Birks Nicholson, of Grosse Pointe, MI; his mother and father-in-law, Kitty and Ed Lyon of Greensboro, NC. He is also survived by his aunts and uncles, George and Nancy Nicholson of Grosse Pointe, MI; Ed and Barbara Nicholson of N. Kingston, RI; Beth and David Hamm of Grand Rapids, MI; Judy and Dick Phillips of Georgetown, TX; sisters and brothers in law, Kathryn and Kevin Gesse of Greensboro, NC, their children Eliza and Sara Kathryn; Allison and Jon Bell of Greensboro, NC, their children Fulton, Garland, and Ford; and many cousins as well.
John was an avid athlete, who loved hockey, tennis, biking, and simply being outdoors. He loved playing basketball, football and hockey with his boys and was wood carver extraordinaire. He loved all things regarding history and politics, and had such a tender and compassionate heart. He loved his men's groups, his work in investments, his family, and most of all, his God. John represented Jesus to his wife, children, and all who knew him. The void he leaves is indescribable, but we will carry on in his precious memory.
A memorial service to celebrate John's life will be held Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 3:00 pm at the Church of the Apostles, 333 Church at North Hills St. (formerly 333 St. Albans Dr.), Raleigh, NC 27609. Private burial will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Nicholson Educational Fund, c/o Jon Bell, 300 W. Greene Street, Suite 1000, Greensboro, NC 27401.
Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary's St. Raleigh. Condolences may be made through www.brownwynneraleigh.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Nicholson
Mary and Allen Carter
March 24, 2011
Kelly: We are so sorry for your loss and were shocked to hear the news from Anne. You, your boys, the Nicholsons, and Fitzpatricks are in our prayers and hearts.
Our days in D.C. together were such a precious time.
Much love to you -
Bill Tecos
March 5, 2011
John was a high school classmate of mine who I also played hockey with for years. John was a wonderful person and a good friend. It is obvious he had touched many lives and will surely be missed. Kelly, my family and I send you our deepest sympathy. This unfortunate news was so sad to hear. Please know our prayers are with you and your boys.
Sean Bruce
March 3, 2011
John was a high school classmate of mine. He was a good man back then and obviously continued to be a good man into his adult life. Very sad news.
Leslie Senke
March 3, 2011
I am shocked and saddened to hear of John's passing. I have fond memories of our days in the Christ Church choir and youth group, and I will always remember him as a kind, funny, gentle person who was quick to smile. My thoughts and prayers are with John's entire family, especially his twin sister, Anne. ~ Leslie (Jeffs) Senke
Elizabeth Dale
February 26, 2011
Kelly, I am so so sorry about the loss of John. I am still in shock over such a young life leaving this planet. Seeing his picture makes me smile because he has such a beautiful smile and was always so kind and cheerful, even when things were tough. I always loved your dear husband. Hope you will come to GP this summer so we all can love on you and your kids. Elizabeth
February 25, 2011
I am so sorry for your loss of John. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Our deepest sympathy - Casey Steffes (Cleveland,OH)
Debbie Alderete
February 25, 2011
Kelly and family:
I am so sorry for the loss of John, I will hold you and your family in my prayers.
Debbie (VanDeweghe)Alderete, Grosse Pointe, Michigan
February 24, 2011
Kelly, I was in John Sr's high school class. It sounds like John Jr. had the wonderfully solid, dependable, intelligent traits that his father has. My prayers are with you and your family. It is difficult to understand why this happens.
Bonnie Browne Lock Traverse City, MI
Burdett Stilwell
February 24, 2011
I was shocked and saddened to hear about John's untimely death this afternoon. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. What a blessing from God he was!!
Martha Berschback Obenauer
February 24, 2011
To John's wonderful family. ..
I remember John's smile, his kindness and love of life. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of his beautiful family.
Andrew Parvel
February 24, 2011
My deepest sympathies to the entire Nicholson family. True, kind and caring only begin to describe my memories of John. God bless John and your families.
Andrew Parvel
Barbara Snowdon
February 24, 2011
To John's family,
I am so sorry to learn of John's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
Barbara Snowdon
College for Financial Planning
Jody and Ginny Condra
February 24, 2011
John was my fraternity brother at Bowdoin, my roommate in Washington, and a dear friend throughout. I will miss his wit, his laugh, and the many (often intense) discussions we had at Bowdoin and in Washington. He was the epitome of a scholar and a gentleman. Please know that Ginny's and my thoughts and prayers are with you, and that John will be sorely missed.
Allison Condit
February 23, 2011
Suzie and John, Sid and I heard about John's death from Susie Harley this evening. We are so very sorry and can only imagine how painful this must be. Please know that you are very much in our thoughts during this difficult time and that we will be keeping you in our prayers. With lots of love and deepest sympathies, Allison and Sid
Peter and Nancy Cook
February 23, 2011
To the Family of John
A Reflection:
He was the true measure of a man. He took on life as adventure in learning, growing, sharing and serving his family, God and country. He was blessed in having a true sense of direction early in life…and made the most of it. He was fascinated with the workings of many cultures. He was intellectually astute to the challenges and needs of our nation. John was aggressive and fearless on ice and in the arena of life where he vigorously defended his goals and beliefs. His sense of family values was wholesome, devote and contagious! He modeled a quality of life that many admire and reach for as
compassionate Christians. We are honored that we knew him, watched him grow and shared in his love for his family. We will always celebrate what he gave to all that knew him. Our sadness for his loss is profound.
Peter and Nancy Cook, Berwick , Maine
Cheryl Baetz Pennings
February 23, 2011
My heart goes out to the Nicholson family. I am so sorry to learn of John's passing. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. ~ Cheryl [Baetz] Pennings
Jon Hartz
February 23, 2011
Dear Kelly and the extended Nicholson family,
Susan and I send our prayers to you and all. John grew up with our boys, we were at your wonderful wedding, and are so saddened by this.
Susan and Jon Hartz
Lisa
February 23, 2011
Dear Kelly,
"For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee."
We hold you in our hearts and our prayers.
(from the Monday night ladies bible study group.)
Barbara Nicholson
February 23, 2011
Kelly....thinking of you and the boys, wishing I could be there. John is beloved around the world, I will send you greetings from a friend in Santiago....he is remembered so deeply; he was a gift to all of us.
auntie barb
February 23, 2011
Kelly,
my wife (Wendy Jewett) and I send our condolences from Grosse Pointe. We were friends of John. This is such sad news, and our prayers are with you and your sons.
George Jerome Jr.
Wendy Jerome
February 23, 2011
John was a good friend. We were kids together in GP, sang in the choir and had some great times. He played hockey with my husband and my brother. I am so, so sorry for your loss. Please know my prayers are with you and your family.
February 23, 2011
Tom and Kathy Quilter extend condolences to Kelly, children and family. Our sorrow and heartfelt prayers are with you. As a 40 year law partner of John's father, we have known John Jr. since he was an infant. We have shared many wonderful life events over the years and he has taken a bit of us with his passing. God be with all of you and may His love strenthen you every day.
Mike & Jennifer Kromhout
February 23, 2011
Kelly we love you and loved John. We will do all we can to support you and your beautiful boys the coming months and years.
February 23, 2011
Ms. Kelly i am so sorry to hear of your loss. This is Elaine Whitaker at the Edenton Street Child Development Center.Just know that you and the boys are in my thoughts and prayers.
Julie Booth
February 23, 2011
Kelly: Please know we are thinking of you and your boys. Our prayers and blessings to you at this difficult time. Your friends, Julie and Rich Booth and family.
phil williams
February 23, 2011
Kelly, John Sr. and Suzanne,
Marilyn and I are so sorry for your loss. We loved getting to know John Jr. and Kelly here in Charlottesville. What you all are going through is unimaginable. Our prayers are with you. Love, Marilyn, Margaret, Phillips and Phil Williams
Kristin Deisler Pichel
February 23, 2011
I am so sorry to hear of John's passing. I was a classmate of John's from elementary school through high school. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Martha Kester
February 23, 2011
John & Suzanne,
I want to send my heartfelt condolences at your loss. I can't even imagine what you are going through. Know you are in my prayers - that you might know God's presence in the midst of this tragedy.
I am currently in Afghanistan for a few more months before heading back to my parish in Des Moines, IA - am so thankful for the many ways that I'm able to know what is going on at home.
God bless.
Marceline and John Murawski
February 22, 2011
We are very sorry to hear of Mr. Nicholson's passing. Our daughter is in young John's class at Joyner. Please accept our condolences.
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