Paul E. Nicholls

WESTMINSTER - Paul E. Nicholls, 80, a long time resident of Westminster, died peacefully Saturday morning, April 24, 2021 in St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Boston.

He was born in Gardner on November 13, 1940, son of the late Richard E. Nicholls and Marion E. (White) and Arthur E. Brothers and was raised by his grandparents, George and Kittie White.  Paul was a graduate of Gardner High School and The Industrial Technical College in Boston.

A Navy veteran, Paul proudly served his country as a member of the United States Navy aboard the USS Laffey during the Vietnam War.  Paul served as both a radio man and radar man.

A draftsman by trade, Paul worked for Sullivan and Cogliano Inc. and later worked as a printed circuit board designer for both Digital Equipment Corporation and Visual Computer Company.  Following this career, he later owned and operated the former Butler Limousine Service in Westminster.

Paul was a member of Gardner Fish and Gun Club and loved riding dirt bikes.  Later in life, he enjoyed golfing and was a member of Gardner Golf Course.  He had also been a member of First Baptist Church of Gardner.

He leaves his wife of 59 years, Doris M. (Desmond) Nicholls; two children, Donna L. Schmidt and her husband Shane of Manchester, NH and Todd A. Nicholls and his wife Yvonne Decelis of Cambridge; a stepbrother, Edward Nicholls; four grandchildren, Kyle Schmidt, Shannon Merkel, Gabrielle Enright and Wyatt Schmidt; four great grandchildren, Braeden, Jacob, Cameron and Logan.

A private military funeral service will be held in Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon.  There are no calling hours.

Memorial donations may be made to American Parkinson’s Disease Association, Massachusetts Chapter, 72 East Concord Street, Room C3, Boston, MA 02118 or to Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Inc., 290 Turnpike Road Suite 5-315, Westborough, MA 01581.

Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon is directing arrangements.

www.stone-ladeau.com