Obituary
Richard “Nick” Nichols, 90, was born June 27, 1930, in Parma Heights, OH, and entered into glory at his home in Edgewater, FL, on January 3, 2021, surrounded by loved ones.
Nick grew up in Ohio and graduated from West Technical High School in 1948, enlisting afterwards in the US Navy and serving during the Korean conflict. He was honorably discharged in 1952.
Upon moving to the Tampa area, Nick met and married his 1st wife, Ruth Puckett. He attended the University of Tampa, graduating in 1957, with a BS in Science and Mathematics. Nick worked as a chemist in Aberdeen, MD, until relocating to Melbourne, FL, in 1961, and eventually Edgewater in the 1980s. He worked for NASA as a chemical engineer during the height of the space program, retiring in 1983 to care for his wife, Ruth, until her death.
Nick LOVED to travel! He put 1000s of miles on his Kawasaki Voyager seeing the country he loved and camping along the way. He married Annette Brouillette in 1997 and wanted to show her all the beautiful places he had visited before. The two RV’d for more than 20 years.
For over 25 years, Nick enjoyed his breakfast dates with his motorcycle buddies, meeting them weekly and sometimes traveling 100s of miles around Florida with them. He loved to window shop for new motorcycles, RVs and convertibles – he loved the hunt.
Nick gave of himself as well. Volunteering many hours of service at Canaveral National Seashore, Ocean View Nursing Home, and the Hospice care center in Edgewater.
Nick lived a full life, but his greatest joy was his family. Nick loved his family deeply and enjoyed visiting and spending time with them. He took his children and grandchildren along on boating adventures, and he also loved a good game of pool and corn hole. He was always willing to share his wisdom and knowledge and in doing so taught many valuable life skills to those he loved.
Nick is survived by his wife of 23 years, Annette Nichols of Edgewater; his son, Larry (Ruth) Nichols of Cocoa Beach, daughter, Helene (Jim) Roesch of Melbourne, 4 grandsons, and 2 great grandsons. Nick loved his 2nd family like his own and is survived by Joliene (Vance) Smith, Gary (Sherriee) Brouillette all of New Smyrna Beach, as well as 7 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter.
Nick is preceded in death by his father, Mason Nichols, his mother, Helen Nichols, his 1st wife, Ruth Nichols, and his sister, Arlene Kraft. Nick was a very kind and loving man. He will be missed by many. Nick’s life will be celebrated sometime in June 2021. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Halifax Health Hospice Care center, 4140 S. Ridgewood Ave, Edgewater, FL 32141.
Leave a reply