IN LOVING MEMORY OF
John E.
Nichols, M.D.
August 22, 1922 – May 30, 2018
Obituary
John Edwin Nichols, M.D. died in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. after a short illness. He was 95.
Born on August 22, 1922 in Rutland, VT to Harold and Mary Nichols, John was the eldest of five children. An avid storyteller, he often shared many fond memories of his childhood in Rutland, especially times he spent visiting his grandparents, Edwin and Catherine Fox, and working on their farm on North Grove Street.
John attended Christ the King School and Mt. St. Joseph Academy in Rutland where he was taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph. In high school, John excelled at debating and in theater, two of his great loves. Although he was neither valedictorian nor salutatorian, John was invited to speak at his high school graduation. John captivated the audience while delivering the high school graduation speech at the Rutland Armory. He memorized his speech completely, and it was not short! What made John so special, was that he was a humble kid with great integrity, one who was referred to as "Honest John", by his classmates and friends.
Following high school, John attended the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN. After three years of pre-medical undergraduate study at Notre Dame, John was called out by the Navy during WWII and sent to the University of Vermont to begin medical school. Following an intensive, single year of medical school, John earned his B.S. from Notre Dame in 1945 and his M.D. from University of Vermont in 1946.
In 1947, John interned at St. Vincent's Hospital in NYC followed by a two-year term at Charleston Naval Hospital, in South Carolina. He completed his medical residencies at St. Vincent's Hospital and Methodist Hospital of Brooklyn, NY.
John enjoyed a variety of medical teaching appointments at New York University, Methodist Hospital and Downstate Medical Center. As a board-certified Internal Medical Specialist, John went on to many coveted appointments such as Attending Physician at Methodist Hospital and University Hospital, SUNY and eventually earning the rank of President of the Medical Board of Trustees in 1970.
Beyond all the accolades and medical expertise, John's spirit and his sense of humor remained strong until the very end. His silly pranks and funny stories caused long, laughing spells by all who knew him. Whenever people spent time with John, they knew they were in good hands and would be the total focus of John's unwavering attention. One always felt special in John's presence.
John's love of life spilled out through his international travels, touring numerous countries and enjoying many worldwide cruises. John was always a lover of fine cuisine, Barnum & Bailey circus shows, and Broadway theater. However, John had the most fun when he spent time with his nieces and nephews and his great nieces and nephews - always showcasing his love for his alma mater, Notre Dame. He often remarked that his years at Notre Dame were the best years of his life.
John is survived by his two sisters, Eugenia Valente of Ballston Spa, NY and Elizabeth Nichols of Albany, NY in addition to his brother, Thomas Nichols, of East Granby, CT and many devoted nieces and nephews. John was pre-deceased by his brother, H. Basil Nichols.
Funeral services will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Milton Ave., Ballston Spa, NY on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at 5 p.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Rutland, VT at 11am Thursday, June 7, 2018.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in the name of John Nichols may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104-9905
Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518-584-5373).
Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com
Born on August 22, 1922 in Rutland, VT to Harold and Mary Nichols, John was the eldest of five children. An avid storyteller, he often shared many fond memories of his childhood in Rutland, especially times he spent visiting his grandparents, Edwin and Catherine Fox, and working on their farm on North Grove Street.
John attended Christ the King School and Mt. St. Joseph Academy in Rutland where he was taught by the Sisters of St. Joseph. In high school, John excelled at debating and in theater, two of his great loves. Although he was neither valedictorian nor salutatorian, John was invited to speak at his high school graduation. John captivated the audience while delivering the high school graduation speech at the Rutland Armory. He memorized his speech completely, and it was not short! What made John so special, was that he was a humble kid with great integrity, one who was referred to as "Honest John", by his classmates and friends.
Following high school, John attended the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN. After three years of pre-medical undergraduate study at Notre Dame, John was called out by the Navy during WWII and sent to the University of Vermont to begin medical school. Following an intensive, single year of medical school, John earned his B.S. from Notre Dame in 1945 and his M.D. from University of Vermont in 1946.
In 1947, John interned at St. Vincent's Hospital in NYC followed by a two-year term at Charleston Naval Hospital, in South Carolina. He completed his medical residencies at St. Vincent's Hospital and Methodist Hospital of Brooklyn, NY.
John enjoyed a variety of medical teaching appointments at New York University, Methodist Hospital and Downstate Medical Center. As a board-certified Internal Medical Specialist, John went on to many coveted appointments such as Attending Physician at Methodist Hospital and University Hospital, SUNY and eventually earning the rank of President of the Medical Board of Trustees in 1970.
Beyond all the accolades and medical expertise, John's spirit and his sense of humor remained strong until the very end. His silly pranks and funny stories caused long, laughing spells by all who knew him. Whenever people spent time with John, they knew they were in good hands and would be the total focus of John's unwavering attention. One always felt special in John's presence.
John's love of life spilled out through his international travels, touring numerous countries and enjoying many worldwide cruises. John was always a lover of fine cuisine, Barnum & Bailey circus shows, and Broadway theater. However, John had the most fun when he spent time with his nieces and nephews and his great nieces and nephews - always showcasing his love for his alma mater, Notre Dame. He often remarked that his years at Notre Dame were the best years of his life.
John is survived by his two sisters, Eugenia Valente of Ballston Spa, NY and Elizabeth Nichols of Albany, NY in addition to his brother, Thomas Nichols, of East Granby, CT and many devoted nieces and nephews. John was pre-deceased by his brother, H. Basil Nichols.
Funeral services will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Milton Ave., Ballston Spa, NY on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at 5 p.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Rutland, VT at 11am Thursday, June 7, 2018.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in the name of John Nichols may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104-9905
Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (518-584-5373).
Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John E. Nichols, M.D., please visit our flower store.
Services
Mass of Christian Burial
June
6
St. Mary's Church
Starts at 5:00 pm
Graveside Services with Military Honors
June
7
Calvary Cemetery
Starts at 11:00 am
John E. Nichols, M.D.'s Guestbook
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