Norman E. Nichols

Norman Eldridge Nichols passed away peacefully in his apartment at Foreside Harbor in Falmouth ME on January 31st, 2023. He was strong of mind and chose in all ways to do things his way until the very end. Norman was born to Eldon Nichols and Chlora (Powell) Nichols in Champaign, Illinois in 1929. He and his family moved to Muskegon, Michigan where he graduated from high school. He was an undergrad at Harvard for a year before joining the Air Force and serving in Russian language instructor training. He got his degree in Russian Studies from Syracuse University. He was discharged in 1954 and entered Harvard to pursue an MBA. While home over Christmas break, working at the family business, the Daniels Company, he met Mary Ann Loughery. After a whirlwind courtship they married in July 1956. The couple moved to Boston and he received his degree in 1957. Norman’s career took them to many different places. He worked in Chicago, White Plains, NY, Brussels Belgium, and Honolulu HI. The vast majority of his career was spent working in many different divisions of General Foods Corporation. In the international division he traveled widely throughout Europe and Asia. He retired in 1989 after almost 30 years with GF. In retirement he and Mary moved back to Scarborough, NY where they enjoyed friends, activities and traveling to Italy, Africa and Egypt. He served on the board of the Open Door Family Medical Centers for nearly 20 years. When Mary was diagnosed with MS in 2007, Norman became her awesome and complete caregiver through all the ups and downs of her condition. When she had to enter a nursing home he remained her faithful companion while still living in their home. In September 2020, during the height of Covid, it made sense to move to Falmouth, Maine to be able to live in the same building and closer to family. With all the many challenges of the move, their health and new home they enjoyed being able to see each other regularly until Mary’s death in 2021. Norman and Mary’s life together was a love story. He was a cantankerous curmudgeon who loved a good drink, joke and smoke. She was a lifetime registered nurse who was his perfect counterpart. He played golf, tennis, paddleball and squash. They belonged to bridge and book clubs with friends. They raised two beautiful and devoted daughters who joined them in their travels in Europe when the family lived in Belgium. Norman was pre-deceased by a younger sister, Barbara, in 2020. He is survived by his daughters - Elizabeth McBrady (Stephen) and Susan Nichols (Kathleen Wood); grandchildren – Megan (Michael Mack), Chris, Michael and Kathryn and two great-granddaughters. Norman and his family so appreciate the wonderful care he received at Foreside Harbor. We couldn’t be any more grateful. In lieu of flowers, to honor their commitment to public health, donations to the Open Door Family Medical Centers in Westchester NY or a community health center in your area would be greatly appreciated.