((January 23, 1917-February 9, 2002)

OGDENSBURG--Frederick C. Nichols, 85, Whiting, J.J., formerly of Ogdensburg, died Feb. 9 at Community Medical Center, Toms River, N.J.

 Mr. Nichols owned a construction supply company and later an incinerator company. He was known for his many civic contributions, especially to Ogdensburg.

 Born Jan. 23, 1917, in Ogdensburg, a son of John M. and Nellie Haley Nichols, he graduated in 1936 from Ogdensburg Free Academy and in 1940 from Oberlin (Ohio) College, where he studied in the preministerial program.

 During his senior year in college, he gave up a scholarship to the University of Chicago (Ill.) Theological School in order to serve his country during World War II. In November 1940, he joined the Army Air Corps.

 Mr. Nichols was the first flying cadet from Ogdensburg and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Corps, receiving his Silver Wings in July 1941. He flew a B-26 bomber named The Flying Parson, which had a large Bible painted on both sides with yellow bombs dropping out of the crevice.

 He married Jeanne Louise Dunaway on Nov. 21, 1941, at the Episcopal Church in Hampton, Va., with the Rev. Carter H. Harrison officiating.

 Mr. Nichols was sent to Hawaii in February 1942 and was then assigned to duty in Australia and New Guinea, where he was part of the 22nd Bombardment Group taking part in heavy raids against the Japanese and was credited with shooting down several Japanese Zeros.

 He returned to the United States for a short time and was an instructor at several airfields before being sent to Brazil as chief of air intelligence for the South American theater of operations. On June 15, 1944, in Brazil, he was awarded the Air Medal for meritorious service Jan. 7, 1943, in aerial flight over Lae, New Guinea. He was discharged in October 1945 as a lieutenant colonel.

 After the war, he worked for Igoe Bros., Newark, N.J., a wholesale distributor of building materials and hardware, from 1946 until 1955, when he left the company as manager of Washington, D.C., operations.

 He established F.C. Nichols Inc., a construction supply company, in 1955 at Norwood. As a distributor for B.F. Goodrich Co., he sold industrial products including hose, belting, boots, safety helmets and related products. His major customers were contractors working on the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway and the power dam at Massena. During this time, he met several leading politicians and industrialists including presidents Herbert Hoover, Harry Truman and Richard Nixon and Robert Moses.

 In the early 1960’s, he joined the staff of Merchants National Bank & Trust Co., Syracuse. He was promoted to bank vice president in 1965.

 In 1970, after pioneering a process for incinerating waste without producing toxic emissions, he established the Ecolonator Co. He sold the company in 1973 and retired.

 He was a 32nd degree Mason, a Shriner, a member of the Royal Order of Jesters, Syracuse, YMCA and the Kiwanis Club, a director and treasurer of the New York Council of Churches, a director of the American Red Cross and a past state chairman of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He also produced a Christian documentary and acted as special consultant for other television documentaries.

 Mr. Nichols and his brothers, Howard and James, made many charitable contributions to the Ogdensburg community. In 1994, the steeplechase at Van Dusen Track was dedicated in memory of their parents. Their father was St. Lawrence County chief probation officer for more than 40 years. They also supported Frederic Remington Art Museum, the Kids Kingdom Playground and scholarships at OFA.

 Mr. Nichols also supported the OFA football team, returning to Ogdensburg in recent seasons and once serving as assistant coach in a game against Massena Central School.

 Surviving besides his wife and his brother James S., both of Whiting, are a daughter, Carol Henes, Evanston, Ill.; a son, John, Suisun City, Calif.; an aunt, Mrs. Charles "Fred" (Liane) Haley, Ogdensburg; three nephews and two nieces.

 His brother, Howard, died March 8, 2000. Another brother, Allan M., and a sister, Helen I. Lakey, also died before him.

 A memorial service was held Feb. 19 at Crestwood Manor, Whiting. A Masonic service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, also at Crestwood Manor. Burial will be in Ogdensburg Cemetery.

 Arrangements were with Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, Whiting.

(Taken from the Wednesday, February 27, 2002 edition of the Watertown Daily Times, page 31).