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John A. (Jack) McNichols entered into eternal life at the age of 78 on September 4, 2020 with his loving family at his side. Jack was the son of William and Ruby McNichols, born in Chicago, IL in 1941. He was raised by his mother and stepfather, Carl Shew in Black River, NY, a small upstate NY village in the Thousand Island area of NY. Upon his graduation from Carthage High School in Carthage, NY, he joined the US Navy and had a twenty year career, retiring with the rank of Chief Petty Officer, (E-7). Most of his naval career was spent in the Virginia Beach/Newport News, VA and Washington DC area. While stationed at Little Creek VA, Jack met his wife, Carolyn Sue McCoy of Princeton, W. VA. Together, they raised a family of two sons and a daughter. Upon his Military retirement in 1980, the family moved to Colchester where Jack worked for General Dynamics/Computer Science Corporation, working out of the Industrial Park in Norwich, CT. He retired in 2008 after a 28 year career with the joint companies. Jack was an active member of the Colchester Lions Club, having joined the club in 1983, giving him 37 years of service. He served as the club President for two years and as a member of the Multiple District 23-C Cabinet for another two years. He also served as a Zone Chairman and a Fund Raising Chairman for Paul Newman’s Hole In The Wall Camp, located in Ashford, CT. His two other main activities were serving for over 20 years each as Co-Chairman and Chairman for the Annual Christmas basket food drive and a member of the Lions College Scholarships Committee, whose members screen the scholarship applicants. He was a life member of the St. Joseph Polish Society of Colchester. His works included working the major fundraiser for the club’s Memorial College Scholarship Fund, the Annual Golf Tournament and was a member of the Scholarship Selection Committee. He was also a life member of the American Legion, Colchester Post 54 and held a membership in the Fleet Reserve Association, New London, CT and the Colchester Farmers Club. Jack leaves behind a loving family, his wife of 57 years, Carolyn Sue McNichols; a son, William McNichols of Colchester; a granddaughter, Jordyn McNichols of Philadelphia, PA; a son, Russell McNichols, two granddaughters, Maria and Molly McNichols, and a great-granddaughter, Maelyn all of Colchester; a daughter, Elizabeth McNichols and her husband, Rob Cady and their three children, granddaughter, Paige McNichols of Tennessee, grandsons Josh and Justin Cady, all of Lebanon, CT. He also leaves behind his sister, Sylvia Seaver of East Hartford, and brother-in-law, Merle of Bristol, CT, sister-in-law, Diane McNichols and her family, all of Colchester, CT. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, Ronald T. McNichols and Fred Shew. The Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Rd., Colchester, CT is in charge of arrangements. Walk through calling hours will be held on Friday, September 11th from 4 – 7 pm. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 10 am directly at Linwood Cemetery, Rte. 16, Linwood Avenue, Colchester with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to St. Joseph Polish Society Memorial Scholarship fund, 393 South Main St., Colchester 06415 or to the Lions Memorial Scholarship Fund, PO Box 423, Colchester, CT 06415. For online condolences, please visit www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com
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St. Joseph Polish Society Memorial Scholarship fund
393 South Main St., Colchester CT 06415
Lions Memorial Scholarship Fund
PO Box 423, Colchester CT 06415