Rev. Harold W. Nicknair

SOUTH PORTLAND- Rev. Harold W. Nicknair, 84, a priest of the Diocese of Portland, died Tuesday, May 5, 2015. Born in Winterville, Rev. Harold was a son of William J. and Julie Gagnon Nicknair. He attended Libby Grammar School in Winterville, was a graduate of South Portland High School, the U.S. Navy Supply Corps School, St. Johns Atonement Seminary in Montour Falls, New York, St. Francis College Biddeford Maine. He received a degree in Theology from St. Johns Seminary in Brighton Mass. Rev. Nicknair was ordained to the priesthood on February 2, 1961 by The Most Rev. Daniel J. Feeney. His assignments included, assistant at St. Bernards Parish, Rockland, St. Louis Parish, Limestone, St. John the Evangelist Church South Portland, Sacred Heart Parish in Auburn, Newman chaplain at S.M.V.T.I in South Portland, Campus Parish at the University of Southern Maine/Gorham, Administrator and Pastor at St. Peters Parish Bingham, Pastor St. Bartholomew Church Cape Elizabeth, St. Annes Parish Gorham and he was appointed Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church on August 1, 1988. Fr. Nicknair retired in May 1996. In addition to his assignments, Rev. Nicknair severed in several other capacities. He was appointed Chaplain of the Limestone council # 2851 Knights of Columbus, Regina Coeli Circle Daughters of Isabella, St. Bartholomew Knights of Columbus, was a member of The Senate of Priests, Governing Board of St. Josephs Manor, Vicar Forane of Southern Cumberland Deanery, Northern Cumberland Deanery and was Father Prior of the Columbian Squires, Knights of Columbus Council #8144 at St. John the Evangelist in South Portland. He was predeceased by 4 sisters, Rose Hitchborn, Blanche Guimont, Violet Nichols, Bernadette Clavette; 2 brothers, Paul E Nicknair, and Ivan Nicknair. Survivors include his sister, Lilly McKeeman and her husband Kenneth of Pembroke, MA and many nieces and nephews. A reception of the body and Liturgy of the Hours will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street, Portland. Very Rev. Daniel Greenleaf, Vicar Forane will preside. Fr. Nicknair will lie in state at the Cathedral from 2:30 to 6:00 p.m. Thursday and from 12 Noon until the Start of Mass on Friday. A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. Friday at the Cathedral, with Most Rev. BishopRobert Deeley, J.C.D. as principal celebrant. Rev. Paul A. Plante will be the homilist. Burial will follow at Brooklawn Memorial Park, Portland. Arrangements are being handled by Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Online condolences may be expressed at: www.ctcrawford.com. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to: Diocesan and Priest Benefit Plan, 510 Ocean Avenue, Portland, Maine 04103