Reverend John J. Nicholson

The Reverend Father John Joseph Nicholson passed away on Thursday, October 17, 2024 at Knollwood Nursing Center in Worcester, Massachusetts at the age of 102.

Father John was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada on February 2, 1922 and moved to Baldwinville, MA in 1925 and Worcester in 1936. The son of Patrick Nicholson and Anne MacPherson, Father John graduated from Holy Cross College and the Grand Seminary in Montreal. After his ordination in January 1948 at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield, MA, he was assigned to Blessed Sacrament Parish in Holyoke. He served as associate pastor at other parishes in the Springfield diocese including St. Francis and St. Anthony in North Adams, Our Lady of Hope and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Springfield. In 1968, he received the Brotherhood Award of the Northern Berkshire Chapter of the National Conference of Christians and Jews.

He helped develop a treatment program for alcoholics at Beech Hill Hospital in Dublin, NH, the first such program to receive accreditation in New England. He served as its director of therapy from 1969 to 1979. Later, he established a similar program and trained the staff at Eagle Hill Hospital in Sandy Hook, CT. He retired in 1992, returning to his old homestead in Worcester. Over the years, he baptized many of his nieces and nephews and officiated at their weddings. During his last 25 years, he assisted the pastoral staff at Notre Dame du Lac on Plantation Street.

He enjoyed all sports, Cape Breton music and had a good sense of humor.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Donald Nicholson of Paxton, his sisters Anne Patrick, SND, Catherine Reen, Anne Marie Kiritsy and Mary P. Nicholson, all of Worcester, and Margaret Menard of Framingham. He is survived by his brother James Nicholson of Landsdale, PA and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held on Friday, October 25 in the chapel of Notre Dame du Lac, 555 Plantation Street, Worcester with a wake from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery, Worcester. In place of flowers, donations may be made to Notre Dame du Lac Healthcare, 555 Plantation St, Worcester or the Rev. John J. Nicholson ’40 Scholarship at St. John’s High School, 378 Main St., Shrewsbury, MA 01545.

The Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster St., Worcester, is directing arrangements.