Obituary for John H. "Jack" Nicholson Jr.
John H. “Jack” Nicholson, Jr. 85, longtime Auburn resident, passed away peacefully on the morning of Thursday, May 27, 2021 at Lanessa Extended Care in Webster.
He leaves his devoted wife of 63 years, Jean F. (Remillard) Nicholson; three children, John H. Nicholson, III, and his wife Laura, of Holden, Lynne A. Foster and her husband Richard, of Scarborough, ME, and Paul A. Nicholson and his wife Maria, of Southborough; his grandchildren, Jeanne Stafford and her husband Lee, of West Newbury, Julie Nicholson, of Monrovia, Liberia, John H. Nicholson, IV, of San Diego, CA, Catherine Nicholson, of Holden, and Erin Nicholson, of Southborough; his great-grandchildren, Harry and Evelyn Stafford, of West Newbury; and his brother, Allen R. Nicholson and his wife Trudy, of Groton.
Along with his parents, the late John H. Nicholson and Mabelle R. (Allen) Nicholson, Jack was predeceased by his grandson, Ryan Nicholson, of Southborough.
Born in Worcester, raised and educated in Auburn, he was a 1953 graduate of Auburn High School. Jack then went on to attend and graduate from Clark University with his B.S. in Business Administration. Following his Naval Service aboard the USS Cotten, Jack began his career, first working at Guaranty Bank in Worcester, then entering the world of sports management.
From 1965 to 1972, Jack worked as Publicity Director for the Boston Patriots; then was Executive Assistant to Weston Adams, the Owner and CEO of the Boston Garden and Boston Bruins, until 1977. In 1978, Jack became Manager of the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland, ME. He also worked as an Industry Expert for Arthur D. Little, and Arthur Andersen, on projects such as the Louisiana Superdome. Jack’s experiences in the sports and entertainment industries led him to open his own consulting firm, the Nicholson Group, which included clients like the Harlem Globetrotters and the World Wrestling Federation.
Family and friends remained the most important element in his life. Jack’s career experiences gave them volumes of stories about celebrity encounters with Elvis, The Beatles, Muhammad Ali, and many others.
Finally, Jack always had a kind and supportive word, particularly for those who needed it most. A devout man with a gentle spirit, who loved the ocean and long drives, he always looked for the best in people, and made sure that no one was left behind.
The Family also wishes to thank the extraordinary people at Lanessa Extended Care, and Hospice of Western and Central Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Our Lady of Providence Chapel, Saint Vincent’s Hospital, 123 Summer Street, Worcester, MA 01608.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Jack’s family between the hours of 4:00 and 6:00 PM on Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021 at the BRITTON-WALLACE FUNERAL HOME, 91 Central Street, Auburn. His funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Thursday, June 3rd, 2021 at St. Joseph’s Church, 189 Oxford Street N, Auburn, followed by burial in Hillside Cemetery, Auburn.
He leaves his devoted wife of 63 years, Jean F. (Remillard) Nicholson; three children, John H. Nicholson, III, and his wife Laura, of Holden, Lynne A. Foster and her husband Richard, of Scarborough, ME, and Paul A. Nicholson and his wife Maria, of Southborough; his grandchildren, Jeanne Stafford and her husband Lee, of West Newbury, Julie Nicholson, of Monrovia, Liberia, John H. Nicholson, IV, of San Diego, CA, Catherine Nicholson, of Holden, and Erin Nicholson, of Southborough; his great-grandchildren, Harry and Evelyn Stafford, of West Newbury; and his brother, Allen R. Nicholson and his wife Trudy, of Groton.
Along with his parents, the late John H. Nicholson and Mabelle R. (Allen) Nicholson, Jack was predeceased by his grandson, Ryan Nicholson, of Southborough.
Born in Worcester, raised and educated in Auburn, he was a 1953 graduate of Auburn High School. Jack then went on to attend and graduate from Clark University with his B.S. in Business Administration. Following his Naval Service aboard the USS Cotten, Jack began his career, first working at Guaranty Bank in Worcester, then entering the world of sports management.
From 1965 to 1972, Jack worked as Publicity Director for the Boston Patriots; then was Executive Assistant to Weston Adams, the Owner and CEO of the Boston Garden and Boston Bruins, until 1977. In 1978, Jack became Manager of the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland, ME. He also worked as an Industry Expert for Arthur D. Little, and Arthur Andersen, on projects such as the Louisiana Superdome. Jack’s experiences in the sports and entertainment industries led him to open his own consulting firm, the Nicholson Group, which included clients like the Harlem Globetrotters and the World Wrestling Federation.
Family and friends remained the most important element in his life. Jack’s career experiences gave them volumes of stories about celebrity encounters with Elvis, The Beatles, Muhammad Ali, and many others.
Finally, Jack always had a kind and supportive word, particularly for those who needed it most. A devout man with a gentle spirit, who loved the ocean and long drives, he always looked for the best in people, and made sure that no one was left behind.
The Family also wishes to thank the extraordinary people at Lanessa Extended Care, and Hospice of Western and Central Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Our Lady of Providence Chapel, Saint Vincent’s Hospital, 123 Summer Street, Worcester, MA 01608.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Jack’s family between the hours of 4:00 and 6:00 PM on Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021 at the BRITTON-WALLACE FUNERAL HOME, 91 Central Street, Auburn. His funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Thursday, June 3rd, 2021 at St. Joseph’s Church, 189 Oxford Street N, Auburn, followed by burial in Hillside Cemetery, Auburn.