Cyrus Nicholas

NICHOLAS, Cyrus Barnholt Jr., 66, of Richmond, Va., passed away on February 16, 2012 at Retreat Hospital with his children by his side. He is survived by his loving children, Cyrus B. Nicholas III "Holt" and his wife, Katie, Michelle Lewis Nicholas and Dan Miller Nicholas II, all of Richmond; and by his devoted sister, Eva Melene Hirsch and her husband, Dr. Howard Hirsch, of Colorado Springs, Colo. He also leaves behind his devoted nieces and nephew, Kathryn Talty and husband, Robert Vernorsky, and their children, Hanna, Elizabeth and Dan; Meg Gallagher and husband, Thomas, and Thomas Talty and his wife, Melissa, and their children, Christopher and Lynda, all of Cleveland, Ohio. Preceded in death by loving parents, Marianna and Cyrus Barnholt Nicholas Sr., Cyrus also adored and admired his late aunt, Dr. Lena Armstrong Lewis; and his late uncle, Dan Miller Nicholas. Cyrus graduated from Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia and obtained his Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts in Art History from The Ohio State University. Currently with Napier Realtors, his career in the real estate business in the Richmond area spanned nearly 40 years. A gifted architect and home designer, Cyrus ran his own homebuilding business in the 1980s and spent more than 25 years as a successful real estate agent, known for his outstanding service in relocating families to Richmond. Passionate about American history and genealogy, Cyrus was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati and the Society of Colonial Wars of Virginia, previously serving as governor of the latter. He loved spending time outdoors with family and friends camping, golfing and fly-fishing. Cyrus' natural charisma, sense of humor and storytelling ability could lighten up any room he went in and enriched the lives of so many people he met. A student of all types of music, he loved singing in the choir at St. Mark's Episcopal Church and could often be found on a warm Spring day at one of his favorite spots overlooking Richmond, singing folk tunes with guitar in hand. Cyrus was a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church and St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. A memorial service will be held on Monday, February 20, at 12 p.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Richmond (parking in rear). The family will receive friends and celebrate Cyrus' life with a reception at The Jefferson Hotel immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to the Sacred Heart Center, 1400 Perry Street, Richmond, Va. 23224.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.