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Richard C. Nickerson, 87
Navy vet & developer owned funeral home
Richard C. Nickerson, 87, of Orleans, died Thursday, June 12, in Cape Cod Hospital. He was the husband of Audrey (Holmes) Nickerson. They have been married for 65 years.
He was born in South Eastham, the son of Herbert Doane and Hattie Sparrow (Charles) Nickerson. He attended Eastham Grammar School, which is now the Eastham Historical Society building, and graduated from Orleans High School. He graduated from Stockbridge Agricultural College at University of Massachusetts and from the New England Institute in Boston. In 1940, he obtained his private pilot's license and was a member of the Chatham Flying Club. He enlisted in the Navy in early 1942 and after training at Newport, R.I., was transferred to a yard mine sweeper based in San Diego, Calif., where he served as a pharmacist mate in the Medical Corps.
During most of WW II, the ship was in the Central and South Pacific. He was transferred from the ship to receive a commission as a line officer. He was released to inactive duty in late 1945. His last duty station was at the Charlestown Navy Yard, where he served as watch officer of the USF Constitution. He had a crew of eight or nine men whose job was to maintain the old ship.
Upon his return to civilian life, he lived in South Eastham where he was employed by his father at his funeral home on Bridge Road. Audrey and Richard also became involved in land development, construction and cottage rentals. While living in Eastham he was a member of the town finance committee and chair for at least one year. He was a charter member of the Orleans Yacht Club where he enjoyed participating in races and other activities.
Around 1955 he purchased the Nickerson Funeral Home from his father and constructed a new facility on Eldredge Park Way. Shortly after, they acquired the Wellfleet operation on Main Street and built a new facility at Crowell Road in Chatham. He later devoted more of their efforts to building, leasing and land development. He was corporator of The Cape Cod 5 Cents Saving Bank for many years. In 1959, he was elected director of Cape Cod Trust Co., with offices in Harwich and Orleans. After the merger with Hyannis Trust Co., it became C.C.B.&T. After 35 years he was elected as an honorary director.
In 1969, the couple built a home in Punta Gorda, Fla. In Florida, he was a charter member of Saint Andrews South Golf Club, the Isles Yacht Club and the Elk’s Lodge in Punta Gorda.
He was a former member of Fraternal Lodge, I.O.O.F., Universal Masonic Lodge where he was active in the Masonic Club and a past president, and later became a 32nd degree mason. He was a member of the Orleans Rotary Club and a past president, a former member of the American Legion Post 308 of Orleans for 57 years, and a former member of the Elks Lodge 2606 for 17 years.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Nancy Manfredi, of California, and Phyllis Boufford, of New York; one son, Byron Nickerson, of Pennsylvania; six grandchildren, Christopher Manfredi, Matthew Manfredi, Rachel Manfredi, Geoffrey Cowen, Drew Nickerson, Paige Nickerson; and four great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his grandson, Peter Michael Cowen.
A funeral service was held on June 17, followed by his burial in Orleans Cemetery, Orleans. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Orleans Rescue Squad, Eldredge Park Way, Orleans, MA 02653.
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Ladoyt K. Teubner, 99
Carol Janoplis, 77
John Barros, 67
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Jun 19th, 2008