Allen Earl Nichols

RICHMOND - Allen Earl Nichols of Richmond, RI, passed away on July 18, 2025, at Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT.

Born on March 15, 1940, Allen was the first-born child of Earl and Loretta (Dugas) Nichols of Jewett City, CT.

He grew up in Jewett City, attended and graduated from the local schools, where he was class president and football captain in high school. Then on to the University of Connecticut and a bachelors degree, and to Central Connecticut State College where he earned his Master of Science degree in 1969.

He then became the youngest principal in Connecticut, in Sterling, CT where his principal's duties included lighting the furnace in winter to warm the classroom. From there he moved on to the position where he spent most of his working life, principal of Charlestown Elementary School. There with the help of an excellent, dedicated staff, he ran an exemplary school. When the elementary schools were about to become part of the Chariho district, he was both principal and superintendent from 1987-1988. A busy and successful year.

As he was planning to retire from Charlestown, the Town of Richmond asked that he fill the suddenly empty position of elementary school principal for one year, which he did and was warmly welcomed there. As a result, he was privileged to become acquainted with the Richmond staff and students. Whenever he went anywhere locally, there were always former students and staff stopping to talk with him. Then, as years went by, his former students began to introduce their children, and grandchildren. He positively affected so very many lives, and shared fond memories with so many.

After retiring, he played a lot of golf with his good golfing friends (including Steve, who made him laugh until he cried), and then he chose to live in Florida in the winter. Allen, his wife Barbara, and cat Davie did just that. They bought first one, and then another retirement house and spent winters at Buttonwood Bay in Sebring, FL, where he played golf every nice day. They both attended an on-site Christian Church service on Sundays. New friends and many social activities were great fun, but the day came when they decided to stay in RI.

Allen began dialysis in Westerly, calling it 'going to work', and again made new and very good friends there, and when traveling back and forth they played word games, trivia questions, discussed historical facts, news, sports, and always had interesting conversations, especially with his friend, Bruce and driver, Larry. He also enjoyed Sunday brunches and good companionship with his friend, Scott.

In RI, he kept a yard full of bird houses and feeders, grew herbs and vegetables in deck boxes that he built, and in the winter he filled 2 garage windows with shelves for herbs, grew lettuce in the kitchen and had a favorite cactus in the bedroom.

He will be greatly missed by his wife Barbara, his daughter Rebecca Caito, his loving visitor, hostess and brunch companion and her husband Chris, his target-shooting buddy. His son Matt Nichols, appreciated visitor who brought his beautiful dogs to visit and his wife Deb. His Daughter Regan Nichols, stepdaughter Jen Wright, faithful, loving helper and her husband Darren Schuster. Stepson Bob Wright, buddy in all things fishing and enjoyable visitor and his thoughtful wife Ewa. Grandchildren Patrick Poland, Nicholas Caito, Conor Nichols, Sarah Schuster and Polina Wright. He was so pleased with all of them.

Allen was predeceased by his mother Loretta (Dugas) (Nichols) Richard, his father Earl Nichols, Stepfather Alfred Richard, his brother David Nichols, and his special cat, Suzie.

Funeral arrangements will be handled by S.R. Avery Funeral Home, Hope Valley, RI.

There will be no calling hours.

Family members will gather privately to see his ashes into the ground, while sharing prayers and memories at Pine Grove Cemetery. A double headstone close to others in the family has been waiting for Allen and Barbara (who will join him there someday).

Those who wish to contribute to his favorite charity, please follow the directions on his best T-Shirt 'SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER'

For online condolences, please visit www.averyfuneralhome.com