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1947 - 2017

BORN

1947

DIED

2017

Bradley Nicholson Obituary

Bradley Alan Nicholson

10/9/1947 - 12/10/2017

Bradley died suddenly and unexpectedly at his home in North Beach, San Francisco.

Brad had a huge love of life and an immensely generous spirit. He touched so many lives both personally and in his work as a San Francisco police officer achieving the rank of "Chief" Inspector for 36 years and following his retirement.

In his retirement, he enjoyed playing weekly golf with his SFPD brothers, weekly tennis with his Ross crew, traveling with his wife, spending time with his three daughters, their husbands, and especially his granddaughter.

Brad is survived by his wife, Karen Nicholson, his daughters, Shannon Nicholson Grotjahn, her husband Eric (Santa Barbara), Keri Nicholson (Bend, OR), Darcy Nicholson Kunkel, her husband Neil, and his beloved granddaughter Kiana Jane Kunkel (Santa Cruz) and his brother Douglas Nicholson, his wife, their children and grandchildren (Houston, Tx).

Brad and his unique sense of humor and truly amazing approach to life will be missed every single day. His beautiful spirit will live on forever in all of those he touched.

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

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Dec. 15 to Dec. 17, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Bradley Nicholson

15 Entries

John Dunn

December 4, 2019

Loved BRAD and grew up playing baseball with him...Bellaire Texas Little League All Stars..We both were All Star pitchers...so sorry he left us too soon...great memories ...great guy...!

Lori Bowie

April 22, 2019

I am so sorry I am writing this so late but I just heard of Brads passing tonight I was shocked and sad and by the news . I worked with Brad at Sfpd, he would come into the record room pull some reports he always had a smile on his face and talked so much about his wife and his Daughters he loved you all so much. brad was a class act and always dressed very nice.

Jack Romigh

March 10, 2018

I knew Brad when we were kids [through Bellaire High in Texas]. Every October, he would let me know he always remembered my birthday, because his dog shared it [10/6].
He was one of the warmest, most easy going guys I ever knew.

Charles Stigall

February 22, 2018

I am very sorry to hear of Brad's passing. We attended Bellaire High school together.

Tom Parmeson

February 21, 2018

So sorry to hear of Brad's passing. Went to high school with Brad and even though it's been over 50 years since I've seen him, I can't forget his smile, sense of humor, and zest for life. Rest in Peace old friend...

Jeff Hooton

February 21, 2018

Devastated to just now be learning of Brad's passing. I grew up with Brad in Houston. In classes together from K-12. We kept in touch through college & our early 20s but not much after he moved to SF. Smart, outrageously funny, the best friend you could have.

RIP Brad. My deepest condolences to the family.

Paul Chignell

December 26, 2017

Brad was exactly as Kelly Carroll described him.
Wonderful guy, gracious and had a lot of class.
He will certainly be missed by his former colleagues at SFPD and friends.
God Bless his family in this time of grief.

Phyllis-Dave Sieber

December 18, 2017

I (Phyl) worked with Brad in 2 units and he had such a great attitude and always a smile for everyone. I met him and Bill (his future work partner) when they first became Inspectors. He was young and seemed light hearted and yet when you got to know him, he was very intelligent and knew his job. He was 10/9 and I was 10/10 so we had a lot of Libra jokes. He was very proud of his family and would speak lovingly of all of you. We are so sorry for your loss. We have very nice memories of him.

Dave and Phyllis (Gunder) Sieber

geary kull

December 18, 2017

Learned a hard lesson today..... visit, see, talk to, or write the important people in your life before its too late. Not many better guys than brad,a part of too many memories to recall. So sorry I waited too long. My deepest condolences and sympathy to those he leaves behind. I will remember and miss him.

December 18, 2017

So sorry to hear of Brad's leaving us.
Always enjoyed talking to him at "Eddie's" after the weekly tennis match in Ross.
Our deepest condolences to his family.

Don and Denise Ahrens
"Eddie's"

Morgan Peterson

December 17, 2017

I am very sorry to learn of the passing of Brad. We had a lot of fun playing tennis and generally fooling around in the old days. He was a great guy and had a great sense of humor. My thoughts are with his family. Morgan Peterson

Merry Dunn

December 17, 2017

I was so sad to hear the news of Brad's passing. I haven't seen him since college, but I will always remember how truly nice and funny and handsome he was.

What a loss for his family and friends. My heart goes out to you all.

Merry Dunn

Kelly Carroll

December 16, 2017

Brad had movie star looks but was completely unpretentious. He had a broad and warm smile that he shared with us all most generously. He was that rare case of a man who loved to tell stories and was very accomplished in the telling. He had a wonderful sardonic wit that was never malicious. He very much enjoyed the company of friends and their number is countless. He had an effortless charm that made you enjoy spending time around him and long for that next lunch date, or round of golf. He had a kindheartedness that was absolutely genuine and comforting to be around. He was a good man.
Karen, Shannon, Keri and Darcy, my deepest condolences to you and your families.
I consider myself extremely lucky to have known Brad and to count myself among his friends.
Sincerely,
Kelly

Mike Puccinelli

December 16, 2017

I worked with Brad in the SFPD. Brad was one of the good guys, quite a character. I enjoyed seeing him and having a drink with him at Gino and Carlo's in North Beach. I'm going to miss my old friend, RIP my friend.

Jim Drago

December 15, 2017

One of the funniest guys around, especially on the golf course. I will miss you buddy. RIP

Showing 1 - 15 of 15 results