Henry Eaton Nichols III

1941 - 2021

Waterford - Henry Eaton Nichols III, of Waterford passed away July 19, 2021. Henry was born Sept. 25, 1941, in New London, at L+M Hospital. He grew up on Spithead Road in Waterford but graduated from New London High School in 1959.

Henry joined the Army National Guard in 1959 and was honorably discharged in March 1963. He was hired at The Day Publishing Company on Jan. 2, 1960; initiated as Journeyman on Nov. 2, 1964, moving up to Composing Room Foreman; dayshift in 1988. Henry also elected secretary-treasurer of Local 159 (1971-1978). He retired after 36 years in June of 1996. Henry also worked part time nights for many years at the local drive-in on Route 32 in Uncasville, where he ran the film projector.

After retiring he volunteered with assisting the American Red Cross answering calls for Emergency assistance. In 2005 he traveled with the Waterford Chapter of the Red Cross to assist in a shelter located in a junior high school in Picayune, Miss., for 2 weeks after Hurricane Katrina. Henry owned and operated his own business; Nichols Publishing Company where he did printing and consulting work as a hobby.

He joined the New London Lodge of Elks 360 in 1976. Henry was elected Elk of the Year in 1992, Officer of the Year in 2010 and became a life member in January 2007. Duties he performed were Chairman of the Board of Trustees for 2 terms, he was Secretary from 2015-2020 and he ran 2 consecutive terms as Exalted Ruler from 2013-2014 and 2014-2015. During the 36 years he was involved with the Elks Club Henry was involved with the many charitable events the Elks sponsored. He participated in visits to the hospitals where he escorted the Easter bunny to giving out bike helmets for children. His passion was golfing, as his best friend put it "If you can't find him at the Elks, he is probably at the golf course." He also enjoyed traveling all over the country to visit his many children and grandchildren.

Henry is survived by daughter Holly Nichols of Norwich; son Todd Nichols and partner Alice McPhail of Norwich; son George Soper and wife Nancy of The Philippines; daughter Connie Nichols King and husband Douglas of Putnam; daughter Cathy Nichols Clayton and husband Bernie of Jacksonville, Fla; son Keith Nichols of Waterford; daughter Amanda Nichols Gross and husband Jerry of St. Marys, Ga.; daughter Christine Nichols Mayda and husband Erick of Silverdale, Wash.; son Jeffrey Nichols and wife Amanda of Brooklyn. Henry is also survived by 22 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to: New London Lodge of Elks 360.

Per his wishes there will not be a service. Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, New London is handling arrangements.