WEST BOYLSTON- Arthur Wilder Nichols, Jr., a longtime Worcester Attorney and West Boylston Civic Leader, died of natural causes in Rancho Palos Verdes, California on November 14, 2016. He was 93.
He was born in Lynn, Massachusetts to Arthur Wilder, Sr and Grace Wormwood Nichols in 1923 and was raised in the Lakeview section of Worcester, where his grandfather had been the local grocer and postmaster since the nineteenth century. Upon graduating from North High School in 1941, he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps, training as a navigator and flying B17’s and B-29’s for the duration of World War II. He graduated from Clark University in 1950, and was employed as a claims adjuster for Liberty Mutual Insurance Company in Lynnbrook, New York and later in Worcester. He returned to active duty in the US Air Force during the Korean War as a member of the Strategic Air Command, stationed in Roswell, New Mexico. He remained active in the Air Force Reserve, serving as Liaison Officer for the US Air Force Academy and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1971.
He returned to Liberty Mutual after the Korean War and graduated from Boston College Law School in 1958. He was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar and practiced as house counsel with Liberty Mutual Insurance Company where he headed the Worcester Legal Department from 1969 until his retirement in 1990.
He married the former Marie Harkins, also of Worcester, in 1951, with whom he had four children. After Marie’s death in 1976, he married Yvette McGrath, nee Fortier, in 1991. Yvette died in May of 2016.
Arthur was a longtime resident and civic leader in West Boylston, serving several terms on the Town Planning Board. He was member of, lector and parish councilor at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church. He was a coach and later president of the West Boylston Community League youth baseball organization.
In retirement, he divided his time between Pawley’s Island SC and Kennebunkport, ME, where he enjoyed golf, bridge, and rooting for his beloved Boston Red Sox. He was especially proud to have witnessed Ted Williams’ famous home run in his final at-bat. He was also a long time season ticket holder and fan of Boston College Eagles football.
He is survived by his daughter Kate Greenberg (Richard) of Palos Verdes Estates, CA, son James (Lori Covey) of Highland Park, NJ, son John (Kathy) of San Diego, CA, and daughter “Nancy” Ann Canavan (John) of West Boylston and grandchildren Garrett, Alecia, Lillian, Brendan, Thomas, Melanie, Katherine and Ellen. In addition, he leaves several step-children, step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren.
Arthur’s Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, November 21st at Noon at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 111 Worcester St., West Boylston. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Mt. Vernon Cemetery, West Boylston. Arrangements are in the care of FAY BROTHERS Funeral Home, 1 West Boylston St., West Boylston.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Arthur W. Nichols to support cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via www.jimmyfund.org/gift