Obituary of Robert-C. Nickerson

Robert C. Bobby Nick Nickerson, 92, of Orleans passed away peacefully at his home on June 26, 2014. Known to friends and family as Nick or Bobby Nick, he was predeceased five years ago by his loving wife of 59 years, Doris M. Nickerson (Eldridge). Nick was born in Derby, Connecticut (thus teasingly a wash-ashore in the minds of his sons) on May 1, 1922, returning to the family homestead in South Orleans with his parents Harold and Flora (Greene) Nickerson at about five years old. Nick roamed the woods and shores of Orleans with his brother Alfred (Link) Nickerson and his best friend Kenny Mechan. He helped out his father and mother in the family summer cottage and gas station business in return for sodas and candy and all the cigarettes he could get away with pilfering from the gas station. He, his brother, and Kenny and Elmer Mechan shagged the foul balls at the Town Team games at Eldredge Park and woe be to the spectator who tried to keep a souvenir. Graduating from Orleans High School in 1940, Nick attended yearly reunions up to the most recent with his former classmates, and now there are only a few remaining, including Audrey Nickerson, Paul Deschamps, Dana Clark and Fenton Sparrow. Following high school, Nick enrolled at Stockbridge Agricultural College in Amherst, Massachusetts, where he began his lifelong love of gardening receiving his degree in Horticulture in 1942. Unfortunately, the advent of World War II prevented him from pursuing horticulture as a career, working instead for the Norton Company in Worcester, a defense contractor, when found 4F for the military due to his lifelong vision issues. In 1943 he signed on to New England Telephone and Telegraph Co. working as a line assigner until his retirement in 1976. Upon retirement, he finally got to pursue his love of horticulture, starting his own plant raising business, selling wholesale and is fondly remembered by many as the Plant Man at the Wellfleet Flea Market. Married in 1949, he enjoyed travel with Doris to many different locations and was a lifetime member of the Masons. His storytelling of the good old days of Cape Cod were particularly cherished by friends and acquaintances. Nick is survived by his three sons, Stuart and his wife Leslie from Brewster, Craig and his wife Donna Sawchuk , also from Brewster, and Allen and his wife Linda from Orleans. He was particularly proud of his four grandchildren, Heather Nickerson of Boston, Matthew Nickerson of Groton, Connecticut, and Benjamin Nickerson and Kasey Nickerson of Orleans. His brother Link died in the early sixties. There will be a Memorial Service for Nick at the Nickerson Funeral Home on Eldredge Park at Noon on July 5, 2014, preceded by calling hours from 11 to 12 pm. The burial will be held privately at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations can be made in Dads memory to Beacon Hospice, 68 Center Street, Suite 19, Hyannis, MA 02601. Finally, the family would like to thank those who particularly gave of themselves over the last couple of weeks as Nick neared the end, particularly Peter and Esther of Beacon Hospice and Latoya and Chantelle of Visiting Angels. Deserving particular appreciation for her loving and professional care is his daughter-in-law Linda Nickerson, without whom we would have all been despairing. Thanks Linda. For online condolences and directions, please visit www. nickersonfunerals.com.