Thomas Nichols

For Thomas F. Nichols, every day was the “best day of his life.” He truly knew how to enjoy, cherish and celebrate every moment that life had to offer. Compassionate, hardworking and very sociable, Tom consistently showed his dedication to others, not just through the profession he chose, but the life he chose to lead. He will be forever remembered as a faithful husband, a loving father and grandfather and a good and generous friend to all he knew.

Thomas Francis Nichols entered the world in the middle of the Roaring 20s, a time of excitement and energy in the United States. He was born on November 24, 1925, in St. Paul, Minnesota, the oldest of three children of proud parents, Joseph and Marguerite (Murray) Nichols. Tom’s father earned a living working as an engineer for the railroad and during the harsh economic days of the Great Depression, the family often moved between Minnesota and Michigan to be located where work was available. The railroad ultimately led them to Mason County, and the family settled in Ludington. Tom attended school in St. Paul, and in Flint. Most of his schooling was in Flint, up until his junior year, when the family moved to Ludington. In addition to keeping up with his school work, Tom was a soda jerk at the local drug store in Flint, and also had a paper route to earn extra money. The family moved to Ludington prior to his senior year and he attended St. Simon Catholic High School. He also worked at City Drug Store until he graduated in 1943.

Tom joined many other proud young American men by enlisting in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was first stationed at Great Lakes Naval Base near Chicago, where he trained to be a Gunner’s Mate. The Navy had hopes he would become a Pharmacist Mate, but Tom thought this would be a monotonous position. As a Gunner’s Mate, he felt he would see more action. He ended up serving on a floating dry dock barge at Guam in the Pacific, repairing ships torn up during battles. He always thought it amusing that he served as a gunner’s mate on a barge with no guns.

After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Tom returned to Mason County and began working at the railroad freight shed, loading and unloading cargo onto ships. He chose to work the night shift so he could spend his days at Stearns Park on Lake Michigan, enjoying the sand, sun and water of the beach. It was here that he met Loretta Rogers, a girlfriend of his younger sister. The two soon began dating and spent much of their time together on the beach. At the time, Loretta was dating another young man who was in the service, but soon sent him a “Dear John” letter so she could be with Tom. The couple was happily married on August 21, 1948, at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Scottville. Coincidentally, Tom’s mother later married “Dear John’s” father.

Tom returned to school, enrolling at the Ferris Institute in Big Rapids, where he studied to be a Pharmacist. During this time, the “Old Main” building where they held the classes burned down, and they resorted to having class any place they could find room. In order to support themselves as a married couple, Tom worked mowing lawns after classes while Loretta cleaned houses. In 1950, Tom graduated from Ferris with his Pharmacy degree and the couple returned to Ludington, where he began his career at Disbrow’s Drug Store. One of Tom’s dreams was to be a small town pharmacist, knowing everyone in town and serving them, not only in his professional capacity, but also as a friend. Working to fulfill this dream, Tom bought Brooke’s Drug Store in downtown Scottville in 1960. In 1977 he bought Pinkerton’s Drug Store from his good friend, Bob Bennett, who was his competitor in town, and then further expanded the store by purchasing Sander’s Grocery, located next door.

For Tom, family was the greatest source of happiness in his life. He and Loretta were blessed with four children: John, Jim, Steve and Christy, and he adored them. The family spent many unforgettable times together at their cottage on Hamlin Lake, sailing on the lake in the summer and tobogganing down Green Way Hill in the winter. Later in life, Tom became a proud grandfather to three grandsons, Gabriel, Joshua and Lee. He loved to spend precious time with them fishing off the docks, sailing the lake or carving pumpkins on Halloween. Tom enjoyed his role as grandfather and was always his grandsons’ #1 fan at every sporting or school activity.

With his free time, Tom enjoyed being outdoors. One of his favorite activities was skiing, which he learned to do at the age of 42. A friend took a catechism class from church to Ward Hills Ski area, north of Branch and Tom was hooked. From downhill to cross-country, Tom truly loved the sport and took his kids and their friends as often as possible. The family went out west each year on ski trips to Bear Pole Dude Ranch, which was a children's camp during the summer and ski lodge during the winter. Here they could cross country ski out the back door of the cabin, and a short walk into the woods brought them to the hot springs for relaxing afterwards. The ranch would use an old multi-colored school bus to transport the skiers to and from the hills. Many times friends and family would come along on the trips. On one such memorable trip, Tom’s daughter-in-law, Mary, decided to go along. She thought there might be activities outside of skiing, like dancing, so she packed her black high-heeled shoes. Imagine her surprise when they got there - it was very rustic, and there was definitely no dancin!. Mary will never forget how Tom teased her about those shoes! On another occasion when Tom went skiing with his friends, Dr. Loren Reed and Howard Vanderlaan, they did not fair too well. The three were quite a sight at the Denver Airport on their way home with Loren, leg broken, in a wheelchair being pushed by Tom, while Howard walked close by carrying a bucket because he was extremely ill. One thing his family and friends often recall is Tom’s infamous skiing call “Hey, Ho”, which was his way of letting you know where he was and that he was looking out for you.

Although Tom’s family and business kept him quite busy, he valued his community and always remained actively involved. Being both social and a natural leader, it was no surprise that Tom was a life member and former president of the Scottville Optimist Club. For his countless deeds, including faithfully working at the Club Bingo on Wednesday nights, Tom was named Optimist of the Year in 2004. He was also the past president of Scottville Chamber of Commerce and served on the Board of Directors for State Savings Bank in Scottville. Tom was a member of the Ludington Knights of Columbus and Elks Club, as well as an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Custer, where he joyfully sang in the choir. In addition, he was a member of the Ludington Yacht Club, where he learned to sail in a 12 foot Penguins sailboat. As a member of the community, Tom volunteered during the Harvest Festival, Ox Roast, and Chicken BBQ, and served along with his wife, Loretta, as the Harvest Festival Grand Marshall in 1999. That same year, the couple was selected as the “Scottville Citizens of the Year” while Tom’s store received the “Scottville Business of the Year” award twice, the first time in 1994.

Outgoing and friendly, Tom knew how to connect with people from all walks of life. He was a “people person” in the truest sense. He was quick to strike up a conversation, making everyone feel at ease, and was always looking for a way to help. Thanksgiving was his favorite holiday, not only because he loved to eat and celebrate his birthday, but as Tom put it - “Always nice to have company, cause you get a good meal.” Tom could often be seen taking his daily three-mile walk around town or working out at the West Shore Community College Wellness Center. He did this every day until his illness in March.

Tom’s hard work provided him with a full and happy life. His life and his work was an inspiration to all. Although many people will miss having Tom as a close friend, he will be held in special reverence by those who knew him as a wonderful grandfather, father, and husband.

Thomas Francis Nichols died on Tuesday morning, May 3, 2005, at Oakview Medical Care Facility in Ludington. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Bud, and his sister Eileen Sniegowski. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 56 years, Loretta Nichols, his children, John Nichols of Denver, CO, Jim (Mary) Nichols of Scottville, Steve Nichols of Manistee, and Christy (Mark) Buck of Pentwater; his grandsons, Gabriel Nichols of Elida, OH, Joshua Nichols of Scottville, and Lee Buck of Pentwater; his sisters-in-law, Rosemary (Bob) Boon of Branch, Margaret (Lee) Hausler of Jackson, and Rosie Nichols of St. Paul, MN; his brother-in-law, Jerry Wadel of Hart; numerous nieces and nephews, and many great friends.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Tom at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 7, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Custer, with Rev. Isidro Gargantiel as celebrant. Burial with military honors will take place at Pere Marquette Cemetery in Ludington. Friends may meet with his family for a time of visitation on Thursday, May 5, from 7-9 p.m., and on Friday, May 6, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at the Stephens Life Story Funeral Home in Scottville. A prayer service will be held for Tom on Friday evening at 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Please visit Tom’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory with his family, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to either the Scottville Optimist Club or St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Custer.