John Hanks Nichols, 72, longtime resident of Damariscotta, died at his home Nov. 11 after a short illness, surrounded by his family.
John was born on Jan. 16, 1940 in Henry, Ill. to John H. and Dorothy Tuska Nichols. He graduated from Glenview High School in Springfield, Ill., and served in the Navy for eight years, stationed in Bethesda, Md. and in Cairo, Egypt.
John had a lifelong passion for innovation, and his intellectual curiosity led him to a wide range of interests and skills. He attended a variety of undergraduate programs, including the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Montgomery Community College in Maryland, and the University of Maine at Augusta. He earned his Master’s Degree at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health, while working full-time at the State of Maine Bureau of Health.
He also worked in a number of different fields; while studying biomedical engineering at MIT, he designed and oversaw a blood anesthesia lab at Massachusetts General Hospital; at the State of Maine Bureau of Health, he was the first director of the WIC Program.
In Waterville, during the early 1980s, he and his wife Phoebe started Home Port Computers and later opened a branch in Bangor.
Most recently, John worked at South Bristol Elementary School where he coordinated the Discovery Boatbuilding Program, helping eighth grade students build two wooden skiffs each year. He was also the school IT/computer guru, providing guidance and support to teachers, staff, and students; he took special pleasure in supporting the efforts and ambitions of the young people in his life.
John enjoyed camping, hiking, canoeing and kayaking, was an avid reader, and loved to travel. In high school he and some friends took an impulsive road trip, headed to California, but didn’t clear the state line before losing their nerve and sheepishly heading back home. As an adult John indulged his wanderlust, visiting 46 states by plane, train, and car. He and Phoebe also made many trips to Europe, travelling to Ireland, Italy, France, and Spain. No matter the destination, John’s favorite pastime during these trips was people-watching.
John was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, and had many good friends. Although he was not an overly demonstrative man, when he connected with others his intense joy lit up his face in a way all could recognize.
He was predeceased by sons, Peter Matthew in 1965 and Joseph Andrew in 1986; and granddaughter, Emily Nichols in 1988.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Phoebe Nichols; daughter, Elizabeth “Liz” (Nichols) Bordman; sons, John “Jack” H. Nichols, and Sam Nichols and wife Laurie San Martin; grandchildren, Sarah Nichols, Max Bordman, Georgia Nichols, and Annabel Nichols; sister, Susan Nichols Roughton and husband Bob; brother, Tom Nichols and wife Mary; sister-in-law, Susan Beaudette and husband Bruce; nieces, Heather Nichols, and Kelly Nichols; nephew, Benjamin Sayer; and first wife, Mary (Inslee) Smith.
Memorial service 4 p.m., Fri., Nov. 30 at the South Bristol School. Donations in his name may be made to the Skidompha Public Library, PO Box 70, Damariscotta, ME 04543.