George Joseph Nichols

George Joseph Nichols, 93, took flight to heaven on Monday, November 4, 2019. He was born June 26, 1926 in Winsted, CT to Joseph and Edna Nichols. George was quick with a smile, a quip and kind words that could brighten anyone’s day. He was proud of his Lebanese heritage. He loved to cook and bake many Lebanese foods and sweets and he was generous in sharing with family and friends to enjoy. He also enjoyed the friendship and camaraderie of his many family and friends in Winsted, Torrington and beyond. When out and about, George always encountered someone he knew. George served in the Army/Airforce during WWII stationed in Austria. He loved working on airplanes and had hopes of going to school for engineering. He loved technology from the time he was a child. He took pleasure and pride in taking things apart and figuring out how to put them back together, with a twist, as he always seemed to find a way to make anything work better than the original. His early years were spent learning to run a business and a household. He succeeded magnificently at both. His return from Europe gave him the opportunity to work on airplanes at Pratt & Whitney. But the family business called and George answered, working alongside his brother Francis, at J.B. Nichols & Sons, keeping the store that his parents founded running successfully. J.B. Nichols was the gathering place for cousins and aunts and uncles. George developed strong friendships with many of his customers that have lasted to this day. He was also the patriarch and “go to” guy for the family when anyone needed help for anything. Aunts, uncles and cousins called on George for his sound financial advice and his “Mr. Fix-It” skills. He was an active, lifelong member of the Winsted Elks, served on every chair and was an Exalted Ruler, the YMCA Board of Trustees, a member of the VFW, the American Legion, the Maaser El-Chouf Association and an honorary member of the Winsted Fire Department. He was predeceased by the love of his life, Maria Nejaime Nichols. They were married for 65 years before her passing in 2013. He was also predeceased by his sister Marie Nichols. He is survived by his children, Charles (Aida), Suanne Zoppi (Peter), Katrina Nichols and Joseph Nichols (Lori). Mourning his passing are his grandchildren, Aimee (Dan) Confer, Heather (Marcos) Miller-Nichols, Christopher Peter (Jennifer) Zoppi, Nina Zoppi, Amelia Nichols, Mitchell Nichols, Marin Nichols and Jaime Nichols, his great-grandchildren, James David Confer, Oliver Miller-Nichols, Emma Grace Confer and Olivia Grace Zoppi. He leaves his brother Francis (Joanne) Nichols, sisters Lorice Resha, Genevieve (Ralph) Hill, and Dolores Blanchette. He will be missed by his many beloved nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be at the Maloney Funeral Home in Winsted on Sunday, November 10, 2019 from 4:00-7:00 PM and the funeral at St. Joseph’s Church on Monday, November 11, 2019 at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Maaser El-Chouf Association or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

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