Obituary of Thomas S. Nicholson

Thomas S. Nicholson, 84, formerly of 27 Maple Street, passed away Wednesday, February 15, 2012, in the Cuba Skilled Nursing Facility, following a lengthy illness. Mr. Nicholson was born on June 29, 1927 in the town of Wellsville. He was a son of John D. and Ella Welch Nicholson. In September of 1950, Mr. Nicholson married his wife of 61 years, the former Joyce Farwell, who predeceased him September 4, 2003. Mr. Nicholson is a graduate of the Belmont High School, Class of 1944. After high school, he served in the Army during World War II. Upon his return home, he graduated from The Renouard Training School for Embalmers in New York City, Class of 1949 and served his residency in Buffalo. Mr. Nicholson again served his country in the Army during the Korean Conflict from 1950-1951. Later in 1951, he and his wife moved to Cuba where he joined Glenn O. Loveridge Funeral home, which had been established in 1904. Mr. Nicholson purchased the business in 1958, upon Mr. Loveridge's retirement. In 1974, the business became the Nicholson Funeral Home, Inc. In 1964, he purchased the Davis Funeral Home in Friendship and operated both businesses for the next 10 years, when Mr. Nicholson sold the Davis Funeral Home. Up on his health failing and his retirement he sold the funeral home and it became the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home. Mr. Nicholson, served as Allegany County Coroner for many years and he was very active in civic affairs and was recognized as Man of The Year in 1975 by the Cuba Chamber of Commerce. He was a member and charter president of the Rotary Club. In 1983, he was the first member to be named a Paul Harris Fellow and for several years arranged for area children to attend the Genesee Valley Rotary Camp. Mr. Nicholson was the first chairman of The Board for the Allegany County Office of the Aging and served on the Girl Scout District Council. He was a past member of the Community Chest Board of Directors, Cuba Lodge #306 F & AM, is a life member of the Cuba American Legion Post #655 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2721. For many years, Mr. Nicholson sang and danced in the Cuba Hospital Auxiliary musicals. Mr. Nicholson served his profession as a member and past president of the Allegany County Funeral Directors Association. He also served as their representative on the State Board of Directors, receiving a distinguished Service Award from that Association. Mr. Nicholson was also a member of the National Funeral Directors Association. Mr. Nicholson was a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church, having served as an acolyte at St. Philips Church in Belmont and was a member of Christ Church in Cuba for many years, where he served at the local level as Senior Warden and Treasurer. He was also a delegate to the Rochester Diocesan conventions. Mr. Nicholson is survived by three daughters, Pamela J. Nicholson of Cuba, Anne (Gerald) Wight of Cuba, and Sally (Stephen) Reis of Richardson, TX; grandchildren, Daniel Patrick, Christopher, Aaron, Thomas, and Rob Wight, and Caroline, Jacquelyn, and Katherine Reis; three great grandchildren; one brother, Dr. Charles R. Schen of Hamburg; and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Nicholson was predeceased by a sister, Phyllis Smith; two brothers, J. Donald Nicholson and Col. Robert Nicholson; and a step brother, J. Van. Schen. Friends will be received on Thursday, February 23, 2012 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc. #24 Genesee Parkway, Cuba, where funeral services will be held on Friday, February 24, 2012 at 11:00 am. The Rev. Thomas S. Gramley, Rector of St. Stephan's Episcopal Church in Olean will officiate. Burial will be in the Cuba Cemetery, Cuba, NY. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Cuba Cemetery Association, c/o Donna Burdick, 913 Jackson Hill Road, Cuba, New York 14727. Online condolences may be made by clicking on the above button.