James H. Nicholas

     On Saturday, July 6th, 2024, James “Jim” Nicholas passed away at the age of 89. He was blessed with a long, full life and passed away on his own terms and in his own bed at home. 

     Jim was born to William and Evelyn Nicholas in 1935 in the city of Detroit, Michigan. After growing up during the Great Depression and the Second World War, he joined the U.S. Army after graduating high school. Jim serving in the U.S. Army Security Agency during the Korean War. After leaving the service, he returned home to Detroit, attended college on the G.I. Bill, and began a career in banking.

     In the 1950’s he met and married his wife, Jean Nicholas (nee English), who was working as a Registered Nurse across the border in Windsor, Ontario. In the 1960’s, Jim and Jean were joined by their son Brian and daughter Anne. No one could have wished for better parents. In 1971, Jim and Jean packed up and fled the collapsing city of Detroit, settling their family here in Calais. Jim took a job working for Calais Federal Savings and Loan (the current Camden Bank on Main Street), and Jean began working for Calais Regional Hospital as a Registered Nurse. He remained working for Calais Federal Savings until his retirement.

     Jim was very civic and community minded. He coached Little League Baseball, a sport he greatly enjoyed, and served terms on the Calais City Council and the Calais School Board. He was also active in the American Legion as well as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Jim was also active with local charitable organizations.

     Jim and Jean enjoyed a very long and happy retirement together. After selling their dream home on Mill Cove in Robbinston, they took up a simpler lifestyle and moved into an apartment at the Calais Methodist Homes. He and Jean were the central hub for his family. Holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, or just another day, saw them hosting their children, grandchildren, and most recently their great-granddaughter.

     Until his death on Saturday, Jim was (at his insistence), the primary caregiver for his beloved wife Jean, who has been suffering from Alzheimer’s / Dementia for several years. After a couple of falls reduced Jean’s mobility, Jim made regular visits to spend time with her while she is undergoing rehab at Marshall’s Healthcare in Machias.

     Jim is survived by his wife Jean; his son Brian Nicholas of Calais; daughter Anne Bergin and son-in-law Don of Waite; his granddaughters, Cindy of Calais / Baileyville, and Holliann of Camp Pendleton, CA and her husband Kekoa and their daughter Eleanor; and his grandson Donny and his husband Tony of Portland, Maine.

     In honor of his wishes, funeral arrangements will be private with his family. Donations in Jim’s memory may be made to a charity he held dear, St. Jude, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Arrangements by Mays Funeral Home, Calais.