Remembrance Ceremony: 3:30 p.m., Saturday, June 3, 2017
Location: Weymouth Funeral Home
Interment: Arlington National Cemetery
Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Robert Nicholson, USA, Retired, passed away May 14, 2017 after a long struggle with cancer.
Ken was born in January 1946 at Stewart Field, Newburgh, New York, where his father was a flight instructor recently returned from combat duty over Germany. The oldest of five children, Ken was raised in Springfield, Massachusetts where he graduated from Classical High School. In 1964, Senator Ted Kennedy nominated him to the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he served in the Cadet Color Guard. Commissioned into the Army in 1968, Ken served with pride in Germany, Belgium, Vietnam, Hawaii, and several postings in Virginia during his career.
While stationed in Belgium, Ken met the love of his life, Sherry Haxby. They were married in 1976. He was a devoted husband and dedicated caregiver to Sherry, who lost her own battle with cancer in 1991. Profoundly affected by the loss of his partner, Ken retired from the Army in 1992 and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in bereavement and hospice counseling. He found this work deeply satisfying and only reluctantly retired due to his declining health.
Ken found joy in riding his bike, relaxing on the beach, reading history, watching the wildlife on the pond behind his home, and participating in his community. Above all else, he loved his family. He’s survived by his mother, Ruth Nicholson, of Springfield, MA; and siblings Glenn Nicholson, of Cincinnati, OH; Christine Nicholson, of Washington, D.C.; Don Nicholson, of Wilbraham, MA; and Carol Nicholson, of Alexandria, VA. He leaves behind four children: Suzie Mancini, of Darien, CT; Mardie Coyle, of Duxbury, MA; Jeff Nicholson, of Waynesboro, VA; and Kristen Firestone, of Norfolk, VA. He especially loved to dote on his grandchildren Katie, Caroline, and Lauren Mancini; Brendan and Ryan Coyle; and Jack Firestone. He also dearly loved his honorary grandchildren Madisun Williams, Kingsleigh Ella Guinn, and Liam Guinn, all of Hampton, VA.
A remembrance ceremony will be held at 3:30 on June 3, 2017 at Weymouth Funeral Home in Newport News. A military burial will take place at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery, where his remains will be interred alongside those of his wife. Arrangements by Weymouth Funeral Home.