Timothy Charles Nicholson, successful businessman
Timothy Charles Nicholson, CLU, ChFC, of Milton passed away unexpectedly one day before his 72nd birthday from an aggressive form of cancer at Delaware Hospice. Tim was born Jan. 11, 1949, to James and Gertrude (McNamara) Nicholson in Clinton, Mass. Growing up he attended Holy Rosary Elementary School, St. John’s High School in Shrewsbury, Mass., and graduated magna cum laude from Villanova University with dual degrees in English and philosophy.
He began his professional career in sales with Ortho Pharmaceuticals. Enjoying this role in business development, he began a long-term career in commodities, insurance and equities sales. Between the late seventies and early nineties, he worked at Merrill Lynch and Company, was a regional vice president of CIGNA Individual Financial Services and ultimately president of CIGNA Asset Advisors. In 1991, he was named president of Walnut Street Securities, a division of General American in St. Louis, Mo. In 1994, he was named president and CEO of GenMark where he managed operating results for all of General American sales and marketing. In 1997, he returned to Baltimore where he became vice president and chief marketing officer of Fidelity and Guaranty Life Insurance. While finishing his career at KeyCorp, Cleveland, Ohio.
Throughout his career and life, he was recognized for his wise counsel, sound leadership and excellent moral judgement. On the local level, he was president of several HOAs, served on the board of the American Red Cross, and in Milton he served on the planning and zoning commission. His career enabled opportunities to live domestically in wonderful communities as well as enabling his family to enjoy travel aboard. His favorite destinations were Hawaii, Vienna, Austria, the Caribbean Islands, and Hong Kong. Despite his business persona, he had a tender and ever-loving heart. He made sure Patti had fresh flower bouquets on a weekly basis. In addition, anyone lucky enough to have a one-on-one with Tim (especially in his “chair”) would agree that these conversations were some of the most meaningful and impactful conversations of their lives. He had a great talent for imitating famous voices, assigning his favorite people lifelong nicknames, and vivacious storytelling.
Upon his retirement to Milton in 2008, he had more time to enjoy reading, investigating his love of history and film, avidly following Villanova basketball (especially when they were winning) as well as spending time with his wife - planning menus and utilizing gourmet recipes. He enjoyed all types of music: opera, liturgical, classical, and would sing rock and roll from the ‘60s on road trips.
Tim was predeceased by his parents and his infant daughter Missy. He is survived by his loving and ever-caring wife of 49 years, Patricia Nicholson (Cholewinski); three adoring children, Timothy Keefe (TK) Nicholson (Dana Armstrong) of Phoenix, Ariz., Christopher Banning Nicholson (Tara) of Clarendon Hills, Ill., and Meredith Barclay Benoit (Michael) of Severna Park, Md., as well as three beautiful granddaughters, Cora Louise Nicholson, Victoria Kathryn Benoit and Evelyn Rose Nicholson whom he adored. In addition are his brother, James Nicholson (Mary) of Bedford, N.H.; sister-in-law Aileen Ilaria of Zionsville, Ind.; as well as five nieces and one nephew. He was a faithful communicant of Saint John the Apostle Parish, Milford.
A visitation will be held Friday, Jan. 15, from 2 to 3 p.m., in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, 416 Federal St., Milton; service to follow at 3 p.m. Those attending must wear a mask and adhere to social distancing and gathering protocols. A memorial Mass will be planned for late July 2021.
Memorial contributions can be made to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963, or the Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation, P.O. Box 1912, East Greenwich, RI 92818.
