Richard K. Nicholas

Richard Koli "Nick" Nicholas died peacefully on November 18, 2019, surrounded by family, love and his favorite Frank Sinatra tunes. He was 82. Nick had the biggest heart and the heartiest, most- contagious laugh that most who knew him had ever known. At times he liked to be the center of attention | and he was very good at it! He was a consummate story- and joke-teller, and was known to grab the microphone and belt out his own, unique rendition of "Blueberry Hill." He loved people, golf, feta cheese, music, "A Few Good Men," scratch tickets, boxing, Frank Sinatra, Yahtzee, Metaxa, and swimming the butterfly at various Cape Cod beaches. Nick was born and raised in Marlboro, MA, the son of Albanian immigrants and the youngest of six children. He hung out with his buddies on Lincoln Court, played football at Marlboro High School, and then became the first person in his family to go to college. He graduated from Northeastern Universitys business school in 1970, while holding down a full-time job and helping to raise his four children. From there he enjoyed a successful business career, working for a variety of technology manufacturing companies. But all of that was in service to his three true loves: family, friends, and fun. The quintessential family man and embracer-of-life, Nick taught his children and grandchildren that family always comes first, that life is not a spectator sport, and that one should always have snacks and refreshments out on the table within 10 minutes of a guests arrival, even if that arrival came unannounced. To this day, his often-cited Three Rules for Life continue to guide his children and grandchildren, as they guided him: 1) like yourself; 2) have a little humility; and 3) have a sense of humor. Nick is survived by: his wife of 60 years Carolyn (Sharp) Nicholas; his sister Ruth Marlowe; his four children and their spouses: Karyn (Nicholas) & Ken Corti; Steve Nicholas & Sarah McKearnan; Chris & Robin (Mello) Nicholas, and Matt & Susan (Laramie) Nicholas; his eight grandchildren (Nicholas, Elizabeth, Jake, Julianna, Cassandra, Cole, Dillon and Shea); and eight nieces and nephews (Coral Nicholas; Frank, Jim, & Diane Hinckley; and Donna, Francine, Sheila, & Paula Marlowe). He was preceded in death by his parents (Spiro and Marigo Nicholas), two brothers (Tommy & Bobby Nicholas), two sisters (Julia Nicholas and Lillian Hinckley), and two nephews (David Hinckley and Blaine Nicholas). A celebration of Nicks life is planned for April 18, 2020 from 12-4PM at Kennedys Restaurant - 247 Maple St, Marlborough, MA 01752. In lieu of flowers please consider donating in Nicks name to one of these two organizations working to help amputees live a better life: http://limbsforlife.org/ or https://theborntorunfound ation.org/.