Stephen Albert Nichols
September 29, 1941 ~ June 22, 2022
On Wednesday, June 22, 2022, Stephen Albert Nichols, loving Husband, Father, and Grandfather passed away at the age of 80. He was surrounded by family. He was born in Staten Island, New York. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. After living in many places, he settled and raised his family in Northern Virginia.
He started his career in the space industry at the Naval Research Laboratory. Then joined the private sector for several years and ended his career as a Program Executive at NASA Headquarters in Washington D.C.
He was an avid sailor and volunteer with the Sea Scouts. In 2019, he received the Longstreth-Carey Distinguished Sea Scout Leadership Service Award. He maintained a 46-foot Ketch called derPeLiKan and loved to educate youth on how to sail. He was the Skipper of Sea Scout Ship 1942, a Sea Badge Instructor, a Virginia Safe Boating Instructor and was the Commodore of the Northeast Region.
He enjoyed skiing with family in Vermont and Colorado. He was a shipwreck scuba diver and a member of the Capital Divers Association. He loved traveling and visiting his friends and family around the world. He was an endless fountain of information on all topics.
He was married to his loving wife Joan for 47 years. He is survived by his daughters Heather (Chris) and Cindy (Puneet), Grandchildren Lisa, Emily, Kristen, Luke, Selina and Meg. His sisters Anne (Jim), Paula, Clare (Richard), Janet (Jim) and sister-in-law Marlene. He has many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is predeceased by his parents and brother Freddy, and brother-in-law Marc. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Friends of Sea Scouts of Maryland (FOSSOM.org) can be made in his name. A service will be held on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at 1pm at Money and King 171 Maple Ave W, Vienna, VA 20180.
“A man is never lost at sea” (Ernest Hemingway).
He started his career in the space industry at the Naval Research Laboratory. Then joined the private sector for several years and ended his career as a Program Executive at NASA Headquarters in Washington D.C.
He was an avid sailor and volunteer with the Sea Scouts. In 2019, he received the Longstreth-Carey Distinguished Sea Scout Leadership Service Award. He maintained a 46-foot Ketch called derPeLiKan and loved to educate youth on how to sail. He was the Skipper of Sea Scout Ship 1942, a Sea Badge Instructor, a Virginia Safe Boating Instructor and was the Commodore of the Northeast Region.
He enjoyed skiing with family in Vermont and Colorado. He was a shipwreck scuba diver and a member of the Capital Divers Association. He loved traveling and visiting his friends and family around the world. He was an endless fountain of information on all topics.
He was married to his loving wife Joan for 47 years. He is survived by his daughters Heather (Chris) and Cindy (Puneet), Grandchildren Lisa, Emily, Kristen, Luke, Selina and Meg. His sisters Anne (Jim), Paula, Clare (Richard), Janet (Jim) and sister-in-law Marlene. He has many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is predeceased by his parents and brother Freddy, and brother-in-law Marc. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Friends of Sea Scouts of Maryland (FOSSOM.org) can be made in his name. A service will be held on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at 1pm at Money and King 171 Maple Ave W, Vienna, VA 20180.
“A man is never lost at sea” (Ernest Hemingway).
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Sending thoughts and prayers to you all during this very difficult time. May memories shared bring you comfort and peace.
Please wear BLUE or something Nautical if you are planning to attend the Funeral. Thank you!
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Sending much love to you at this sad time – we have so many memories of Steve – with love from all the family on the Isle of Wight xx
I am so sad to hear of Steve’s passing. He was a wonderful man who was always willing to help his fellow Sea Scouts. He was a valued mentor to me personally and a dear friend. The Sea Scout community will miss him. Know that I send my thoughts and prayers to his family.