Jeffrey Nicholas

Jeffrey Hugh Nicholas, Wolastoqey. The Man, The Myth, The Smartass.

A true legend in his own mind.  Diane’s cast iron marshmallow.  Captain Curmudgeon.  Known and loved for his wit and often off-color humor.  Pot stirrer extraordinaire.  Passionate hunter, fisherman, outdoorsman, collector, and button pusher.  75 years spent telling tales without fear. Honest to a fault.  Jeff was unique and a genuine antique.  He died on his daughter’s favorite holiday, Halloween 2022, probably on purpose.

Born on Christmas day 1946 to Viola (Atwater) & Peter J. Nicholas Jr. in Dexter Maine. Jeff attended Dexter schools where he played in the band and on the high school football team.  He graduated in 1964 and went on to work in the shoe shop, woolen mill, and was drafted into the US Army all while spending a fair amount of time in the company of many a young lady. At least that’s how he told it.  His prowling ways were tempered when in early 1971 the woman who would keep his heart, his laundry done, and all his affairs in order came into his world.  After a whirlwind two-week romance, Diane M Perry pursued Jeff to Florida where they were married in February of 1971.

Jeff worked as a commercial fisherman, a custom Rod builder, and a lawn irrigation specialist in the early years of their marriage before settling into 25 memorable years of stress, aggravation, and pride at the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office.  He dedicated a large amount of time, effort, and bourbon consumption to his volunteer work for the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #50.   Jeff retired from P.B.S.O. in 2004 and moved to Palmyra Maine where he and Diane purchased a small farm with a very large farmhouse that was promptly invaded by their grandchildren.   Jeff and Diane ran Iron Belly Antiques for many years in Florida before moving the business to Palmyra Maine.  Antiquing brought them many years of travel, adventure, and satisfaction.  The antiques business closed its doors in 2009 and they continued to run the farm until it was sold in 2019.   They left Maine and headed to Florida to pursue the fulltime RV lifestyle.  It was there Jeff spent his final years with his love Diane, and his puppies.

Jeffs interests over the years were many. He played the drums in a band formed with his high school mates. He loved to fish, hunt and just be out in nature.  He found immense joy in uplifting others to their full potential, even if he was harsh in his delivery.  He also had many tales of his time serving as a Scoutmaster of his son’s Boy Scout troop and enjoyed recalling with pride every one of them.  Jeff spent 40 years researching where his Wolastoqey family came from, where they went, and desperately searched for ways back to the culture for not only himself, but for his entire extended family and all his future descendants.

Jeff will be missed by most who knew him, but certainly not all.  We, his family, take comfort in knowing he has gone on to his spirit journey having lived a life full of learning, laughter, shenanigans, and high blood pressure.  He is survived by his wife of almost 52 years Diane, their son Jason Jeffrey Nicholas & wife Christy, A daughter Stephanie Rayne Roten & husband Michael and their children Nokomis Rayne Beck and Charity Marie Roten, A very loved great grandson Lewis James Plungy with whom Jeff spent many mornings having his coffee (black) and learning about a plethora of Dinosaurs.  Jeff’s son Gregory Mark Nicholas & wife Rene and his two children, Tyler Mark Nicholas and Kate Lyn Weirs.   Jeff is also survived by his two brothers Peter (Jim) Nicholas of Dexter, Jonathan Nicholas of Lake Worth Florida, two sisters Marsha Wyman, and Kelly Kelly both of Dexter Maine, a niece, two nephews and many cousins.

A time for visiting is set to take place at 11:00 am on Friday November 11th, 2022, at Countryside Funeral home in Anthony, Florida.

A Celebration of Jeff’s life will also be held in his hometown of Dexter Maine at the VFW Hall on Sunday December 4th, at 12 Noon.