Bruce H. Nichols

Oneida-Bruce H. Nichols, 85, passed away peacefully with the love and support of his family at his side on Thursday evening, April 21, 2022 at Crouse Hospital.

He was born in Oneida on October 7, 1936, the son of the late Norman F. Nichols Sr. and Gladys Darling Nichols. Bruce was raised in Oneida and was a graduate of Oneida High School.  Following high school, he proudly served his country in the United States Army. On June 28, 1958, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Bruce was united in marriage to Jean Perkins. Bruce claimed he never worked a day in his life, as he always had jobs he loved, serving others. He had spent fifteen years serving the customers of Hermann Oil, from delivering home heating oil to keeping furnaces running. He then spent a twenty-year career, that he loved, working with the New York State Police at Troop D, as the Quarter Master. He had also worked, as a civilian employee, at the Madison County Court House. The career he favored most after retirement was being a driver for Meals on Wheels.  He deeply enjoyed his personal contacts and truly cared for the people that he served.  Bruce was a life-long parishioner of St. Joseph’s Church. He had served on the former Bingo Committee of St. Patrick’s Church. He also was a member of the Masonic Lodge #148 of Oneida.  Bruce was blessed with a “green thumb” and always produced a beautiful garden with his specialty being African Violets and Rhubarb. Word Search Puzzles always kept his mind active. Bruce never asked much from this world.  As a man of deep faith, he was pleased with his blessings: his devoted and loving wife Jean, his loving children and grandchildren, a roof over his family’s heads and food on the table. Bruce will always be remembered not only for his loving and caring ways to all, but his devotion to Jean, and being a dad and a papa.

Bruce leaves behind a beloved wife of almost 64 years, Jean; his cherished children, Jean A. Russo (David), of Newnan, GA, Bruce D. Nichols (Paula) of Syracuse, Cheryl A. Caira (Lonnie) of Framingham, MA, Heath E. Nichols, (Cristen) of Solvay, and Melissa J. Nichols of NYC; his beloved grandchildren; Nicholas Russo, Matthew Nichols, Morgan Nichols, Jordon Caira, Andrew Caira, William Nichols, and Lauren Nichols; his sisters-in-law Brenda Nichols and Nancy Nichols; special cousins Susanne and Loveda Cianfrocco; special friends Paul and JoAnn Holdridge, and Paula Schultz.  Bruce is also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was predeceased by his parents Norman and Gladys, his brothers; Norman Nichols Jr., Duane Nichols, John “Jack” Nichols, Melvin Nichols, and Peter Nichols.

Funeral services will be held on Friday April 29, 2022 at 9:15 AM, from the Coolican-McSweeney & Paul Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial for Bruce will be celebrated on Friday at 10:00 AM, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Oneida. There will be calling hours at the funeral home, 322 Washington Avenue, on Thursday from 4-7 PM. The Masonic Lodge will be conducting a service at 7:00 PM.  Interment with Military Honors will be made in St. Patrick’s Cemetery. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Coolican-McSweeney & Paul Funeral Home. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit: coolican-mcsweeney.com

In lieu of flowers please donate to the snack program at the Madison County Office of the Aging. https://www.ofamadco.org/contribute-to-ofa.aspx  or The Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress at https://mdsc.org

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