Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home
110 Limerock Street, Rockland, Maine 04841
207-594-4212
Serving Midcoast Families since 1830
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In Memory of
Willard Brigham
Nickel
Nickel
1920 - 2017
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Obituary for Willard Brigham Nickel
ROCKLAND –Willard B. Nickel, 96, died peacefully, Saturday, January 28, 2017 at Bartlett Woods Retirement Community in Rockland, Maine.
Bill Nickel was born May 7, 1920 in Toledo, Ohio. He was the son of Willard T. Nickel, a General Motors engineer, and Jenny Daniels Nickel, a professional violinist and antiques dealer. Bill grew up in the Flint, Michigan area, graduated from Grand Blanc High School in 1937 and attended college before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. Bill served honorably as a Supply Officer aboard a Destroyer in the Pacific Theater during World War II. After the war, he finished college at Syracuse University, graduating in 1947.
He met his wife-to-be, Jean Bradley, while at Syracuse. They were married on August, 1947, had their only child, Tom, in 1948, and were completely devoted to each other for the rest of their lives.
Bill was employed by Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, New York for his entire professional career. He worked in the Eastman Savings and Loan Division and eventually retired in 1981 as Secretary-Treasurer of the Association.
Bill Nickel contributed to his community wherever he lived, serving for nine years on the Board of the Brighton Schools, with two years as President. He was also a Trustee for the Brighton Presbyterian Church, a founding member of the Rochester Curling Club, and more.
When he retired to South Thomaston, Maine, Bill was active in the Owls Head Transportation Museum, where he helped take care of vintage antique airplanes, the Farnsworth Art Museum and the Rockland Public Library. He was a member of the Rockland Rotary and a frequent helper at Rotary activities.
Bill and Jean enjoyed travel and were able to visit China, Israel and the Middle East, and several parts of Africa. The Galapagos Islands were a high point for both of them.
Bill Nickel served as a Deacon and Trustee at Rockland Congregational Church, and enjoyed his retirement to Mid Coast Maine so much, he often said it was the best move he ever made.
Predeceased by his wife, Jean; Bill is survived by one son, Thomas Nickel, and his wife, Joan Labby (San Francisco, CA); as well as two grandchildren, Jeremy Nickel (San Jose, CA) and Maia Vechey (Seattle, WA), and three great-grandchildren, Eliza Nickel and Isabelle and Charles Vechey.
Bill’s family has chosen to remember his life privately. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of Rockland Library, P.O. Box 764, or Rockland Congregational Church Abiding Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 554, Rockland, Maine 04841. Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.
Bill Nickel was born May 7, 1920 in Toledo, Ohio. He was the son of Willard T. Nickel, a General Motors engineer, and Jenny Daniels Nickel, a professional violinist and antiques dealer. Bill grew up in the Flint, Michigan area, graduated from Grand Blanc High School in 1937 and attended college before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. Bill served honorably as a Supply Officer aboard a Destroyer in the Pacific Theater during World War II. After the war, he finished college at Syracuse University, graduating in 1947.
He met his wife-to-be, Jean Bradley, while at Syracuse. They were married on August, 1947, had their only child, Tom, in 1948, and were completely devoted to each other for the rest of their lives.
Bill was employed by Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, New York for his entire professional career. He worked in the Eastman Savings and Loan Division and eventually retired in 1981 as Secretary-Treasurer of the Association.
Bill Nickel contributed to his community wherever he lived, serving for nine years on the Board of the Brighton Schools, with two years as President. He was also a Trustee for the Brighton Presbyterian Church, a founding member of the Rochester Curling Club, and more.
When he retired to South Thomaston, Maine, Bill was active in the Owls Head Transportation Museum, where he helped take care of vintage antique airplanes, the Farnsworth Art Museum and the Rockland Public Library. He was a member of the Rockland Rotary and a frequent helper at Rotary activities.
Bill and Jean enjoyed travel and were able to visit China, Israel and the Middle East, and several parts of Africa. The Galapagos Islands were a high point for both of them.
Bill Nickel served as a Deacon and Trustee at Rockland Congregational Church, and enjoyed his retirement to Mid Coast Maine so much, he often said it was the best move he ever made.
Predeceased by his wife, Jean; Bill is survived by one son, Thomas Nickel, and his wife, Joan Labby (San Francisco, CA); as well as two grandchildren, Jeremy Nickel (San Jose, CA) and Maia Vechey (Seattle, WA), and three great-grandchildren, Eliza Nickel and Isabelle and Charles Vechey.
Bill’s family has chosen to remember his life privately. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of Rockland Library, P.O. Box 764, or Rockland Congregational Church Abiding Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 554, Rockland, Maine 04841. Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland.
Phone: 207-594-4212
Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home
110 Limerock Street
Rockland ME04841
Fax: 207-596-0755
