John "Jack" Nichols

COLUMBIANA - A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday at 11 am at St. Jude Roman Catholic Church, 180 7th St, in Columbiana, for John J. “Jack” Nichols, 85, who peacefully passed away at Hamptons Woods Nursing Home on Thursday, June 28, following a six month illness.

He was born on March 27, 1933, in Youngstown, to the late Mary Casey Nichols and the late Philip Arnold Nichols.

He graduated from Ursuline High School in 1951, and went on to study at John Carroll University and graduated from Youngstown College.

In 1955, he married his high school sweetheart, Theresa Conrecode, with whom he had four children, Jack G. Nichols (Diane), Nancy Leonelli (Dr. James), Dan Nichols (Alexandra), and Kevin Nichols.

While in college, he worked as a blueprint courier at City Printing, then in the display ad division at A&P Grocery. Thereafter, he worked as a salesman for the Bury Biscuit Company, and finally as a senior sales agent for General Mills from 1960 until his retirement in 1996.

Jack was a perpetual joker, never without a prank or a funny real-life story. He always had kind words and a gentle heart for those he loved, and could always bring a smile and laughter to those he knew. He was an avid supporter of Cardinal Mooney High School’s Booster Club, was a co-founder of Mooney’s “Golden Cardinals”, a former President of the Cardinal Mooney PTA, and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of St. Jude Roman Catholic Church in Columbiana.

He was predeceased in 1991 by his elder brother, Gilbert Nichols.

His singular charm and wit will be sadly missed by those he leaves behind which include his wife of 62 years, Theresa; an aunt, Sally Ethridge of Cleveland; 12 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Friends and family may call Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Homes, Poland Chapel and Monday from 10 to 10:45 am at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that material tributes take the form of donations to the St. Jude Church Building Fund, or to help Jack’s niece who is visually impaired. Donations can be made to the Lisa Burns Trust c/o Nancy Burns, 1200 Canopy Walk Lane, Apt. 1224 Palm Coast, FL 32137.

Visit www.higgins-reardon.com to send condolences to the family.