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Horace Nichols Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Horace Nichols
Michael McCord
March 24, 2019
His enthusiasm for life was energizing to me. I still can hear him saying, with conviction and gusto, "THAT'S WONDERFUL!"
I think of him every time I walk by his home on Marlborough Street, and often in between. A lovely good man, not to be forgotten.
Carrie Fleming
April 21, 2013
Dear Anne, Alison, Charlie, Anderson and John
My thoughts have been with you all this terrible week and I hope the service went beautifully yesterday.
Your dad was a very special person. Over 35 years ago when Anne brought me home for a weekend from our freshmen year at Brown, he and your mum were so welcoming and made me feel so much at home - and each every time I imposed on their hospitality whether in Weston, Boston or Orleans. I feel so very blessed to have been included in your extended clan.
When he and Ruth visited London and Iona was just a couple of months old, they absolutely insisted I bring the baby down to their hotel. They made such a wonderful fuss over her and were so very delighted for me. Your dad held her and even burped her! Doing the honours for his daughter her godmother!
He was a very special individual and will be very missed by not only your family but so many others.
All my love from over the pond!
Carrie Swanson Fleming
Horace giving former WMA Trustee Carol Relihan '73 her diploma.
Christina Cronin
April 19, 2013
Horace was a great friend to his alma mater Wilbraham & Monson Academy. He will be remembered for his leadership on our Board of Trustees and for his loyal support. He was beloved by his classmates and colleagues. He will be missed.
Court Prentice
April 19, 2013
The era of Nick, that I was fortunate to know…with Jean: Newly retired, Putnam, Marsh-Mac. Sturbridge Village. Weston: Old Post Road, the historic handsome restoration, tennis in back; Black Audi (Oat Willy's bumper sticker); Ski house in Peru; Hapgood Pond. On to Orleans: Weesit tear-down, buildup, the Checker wagon, the little Whaler, Mt. Vernon St.; The cupola: -high on the sunny side- … Nobles, Concord and Munson Academies, Brown, Wellesley, and more, L. Hunter Assoc., the Union Club, The Sox, The Celtics. The Garden. Ever supportive, happiest in the background, devoted to family, modest, patient, interested, thoughtful, gracious, charming. A lot to miss. Love to all.
Jim Bennette & David Cowan
April 17, 2013
Alison and John,
Our hearts go out to you in this time of such great loss.
Bill & Susan Bell
April 15, 2013
Mr. Nichols was always gracious towards me and was a tremendous supporter of our athletic "glory days" at Nobles. I have a number of fond memories to the Post Road home with Mr. & Mrs. Nichols, and visits to Orleans! Our sympathies to John, Rikki and the entire Nichols family.
Bill & Susan
April 2, 2013
Eleven years ago, a tall, erect, older man rang our school's doorbell. In his hand was a tiny child's shoe, which he had found on the sidewalk in front of The Learning Project. He thought it perhaps belonged to one of our students.
Several days later the man returned and rang the bell again. He wanted to know if the shoe had been claimed. It had not, and I don't think we ever succeeded in finding the owner. But we found something else—and isn't that often the way with life?
I happened to be standing in the lobby on the occasion of that second visit and I introduced myself to our visitor, and thanked him for his kindness and concern. He seemed in a bit of a hurry and as he turned to leave he startled me by saying, “I like this school.”
‘Well,” I replied, “I do, too.” We introduced ourselves and so began my acquaintance with a stranger who became a good friend—occasioned by a lost shoe.
Since that day, over a decade ago, on his way to his downtown office, Mr. Nichols would routinely stop in to the school for a visit. We would sit together in the lobby and tell stories; he would ask about my life and the school; we would talk about his family and the Red Sox, and occasionally about politics and then off he would go. He had other things to tend to.
I always looked forward to those unexpected visits. He was such a kind and generously spirited man, always with a tinkle in his eye, an easy laugh, and an encouraging word—often an expression of enthusiasm for something someone else had done. It was uplifting and pleasing to be in his company, even for a few minutes. I can hear him still, saying, “That's wonderful” in an expressive manner that told you he really meant it. He loved LIFE, and even while he slowed down with age—first walking with a cane and then with a companion—he was a fountain of good cheer.
He last dropped by in October.
I'm ashamed to admit that I am not a very attentive friend, and it was just recently—as it seemed that maybe we were coming out of the winter—that I realized I had not seen him for quite a while. A couple of weeks ago I gave him a call.
“How are you doing?” I asked.
“Not so good,” he replied.
He told me that he had to give up his trips to the office—just three weeks before—and that he was in bed, “bone cancer you know; I'm on my way out,”
“Not yet,” I said. “I want to see you.”
“ I would love that,” he replied.
The next day I visited. The nurse warned me that he was not eating and that he had lost a lot of weight. Still, his eyes twinkled and a big smile broke across his face when I came into his bedroom. His mind and his sense of humor were as sharp as ever. I sat on the edge of his bed and we traded stories and chatted, just as we had on so many other occasions.
I saw Mr. Nichols for the final time a week later; he was much weaker, and I stayed only a few minutes. I could see he was tiring. But as I left his bedroom he raised his arm in a strong and warm wave of farewell—ever the soul of graciousness, a gentleman until the end.
I will miss our visits, but I will not forget Mr. Nichols or our friendship. I will always remember how much he delighted in the story about how our friendship began. That story contains an element of serendipity for sure, but for me it will always chiefly be the story of a good and kind man who cared about finding the owner of a lost shoe. And had he not picked up that shoe and rung our door bell, I would have missed the privilege of knowing him. I feel honored that I was unexpectedly given that gift.
Michael McCord
Head of School
The Learning Project Elementary School
107 Marlborough Street
Boston, MA 02116
P.S.
I deeply regret that I am unable to attend the Memorial Service, as I would like to express my sincere condolences personally to Mr. Nichol's family. Instead, I must do so here:
I send you my sympathies on the death of your father, stepfather, or grandfather. He was a very special man—a gentle man, good to the core, devoted to family and friends, concerned about those with less advantage, elegant in manner, and fun. I share with you a favorite quote of mine that I think about in times of loss and sorrow. It is by John Greenleaf Whittier, a Quaker poet: “Life is Ever Lord of Death And Love Can Never Lose Its Own.” I hope this line might bring you some comfort and joy, for his is a life to joyfully celebrate.
On the day of the Memorial Service, Elisabeth and I will be attending a wedding. I take some solace in my belief that Mr. Nichols would have advised selecting a wedding over a memorial service--even his own. Still, I wish I could be at both. In spirit I will be.
Don McElwain
April 1, 2013
Dear Allison, Charlie, Andy, Ann and John - growing up with your family was a special part of my life that I love so much. Living just across the street from you was a treat and fun for us all. Your Dad and mom were so supportive of all our endeavors including Andy's and my chicken farm in your old barn that we operated at age 14. I'll always remember that.
Our love goes out to you all.
Michael Botticelli
April 1, 2013
What a kind and gentle man. I have such nice memories of him, Jean and all of the Nichols family. I know he was a well-loved man
April 1, 2013
I feel really lucky that I had the chance to know Mr. Nichols. He always made me smile and laugh,
and his kids clearly inherited his warmth and sense of humor. My memories of him will never fade.
Jill Stein
April 1, 2013
with fond memories of times on Bradford Road...remembering the monkey on the telephone wire, many dinners together, and most of all, it was just plain fun to "grow up" in the same neighborhood with the Nichols family.
Nancy Hall, Orange MA
cliff cort
March 31, 2013
Like father like son...Your father was a good teacher . I am sure he was proud of you Charlie , Our comdolences to you and the entire Nichols family . Cliff and Carey Cort
Robert Volante
March 31, 2013
The obituary had it right. He was a gentleman of the first order. I will miss my dear neighbor, Nick. My condolences to the family.
Bob Volante
joanna gleason
March 30, 2013
horace meant so much to me and i will miss him so much. joanna gleason
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