Joseph A. Nicholas

Pleasant Point – Joseph “Cozy” Nicholas, 82, died Wednesday, July 2, 2008 at a Calais hospital. Joe was born in Pleasant Point on July 17, 1925, son of the late James Cheverie and Josephine Nicholas. Cozy served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. His Navy tour of duty included serving aboard the USS Curtis, an aircraft tender, in the Pacific Theatre. Joe was involved in the battles at Guam, Saipan and Okinawa. He was a Kamikaze survivor. Following his Navy tour, he returned to Pleasant Point and finished earning his diploma from Shead Memorial High School. Following graduation, he attended Barbering School in Lewiston and owned and operated his own barber shop in Eastport until his retirement. Joe was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 673 in Eastport, where he served as Grand Knight for many years, Passamaquoddy Memorial V.F.W. Post 11299 in Pembroke, and the Fred Mitchell Post 11 American Legion in Eastport. Cozy received honary degrees from Washington County Community College, University of Maine, and St. Joseph College. He served on the council with Pleasant Point for over 8 years, was the Passamaquoddy representative to the Maine Legislature for a total of 12 years. Joe earned the distinction of being the first Native American Representative to be seated in the Maine Legislature. He was the curator for the Wabinaki Museum and was instrumental in reviving the annual “Indian Days” celebration at Pleasant Point. Joe was active with the St. Ann R.C. Church and served as a Eucharistic Minister for over 15 years. Cozy enjoyed playing Bingo, camping with friends and family, and enjoying life. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Eva Nicholas; and four brothers, Calvin, Philip, Horace and Roy Nicholas. Surviving are his five children, Joseph S. Nicholas, Edwin Dana and his wife Linda, Diane Apt, and Alberta Nicholas, all of Pleasant Point, and Freda Moore of East Hartford, CT; his special companion, Rose Newell; many grandchildren, including Melvin Francis Jr. and his wife Tammy, Stephanie Francis and her companion Donald Soctomah, Marie Hopkins and her husband Mark, and Scott and Steven Francis; great grandsons, Joseph and Steven Francis; and many other great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and three life-long friends, David Francis and Father Mike McGarrigle, and Roy Neptune Sr., who he called his brother. Friends may call starting at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 5, 2008 at his home on 419 County Rd., Pleasant Point, until 9 a.m. Monday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Frank Morin 10 am. Monday at St. Ann R.C. Church. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe’s memory may be made to St. Ann R.C. Church, c/o PO Box 898, Calais, ME 04619. Arrangements by Mays Funeral Home, Calais & Eastport.


Memorials:
In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe’s memory may be made to St. Ann R.C. Church, c/o PO Box 898, Calais, ME 04619.


Services:
10:00AM at St. Ann Catholic Church on Monday, July 7th, 2008