Thomas Joseph Nichols, 88, of East Granby, beloved husband of the late Virginia (Donnelly) Nichols, died Sunday, January 12, 2020 after a period of declining health. He was born August 24, 1931 in Rutland, VT, son of the late Harold and Mary (Fox) Nichols. A graduate of St. Michael’s College in Winooski, VT (Class of 1954), Tom spent his entire career at Connecticut General. He was the Manager of the UTC Claims Office prior to his retirement. Tom’s career took him to Los Angeles, CA; Palatine, IL; and Pittsburgh, PA; where he developed life-long friendships. Tom and his family found a lasting home in East Granby, where he lived for 48 years. He also served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Tom was an active and committed member of St. Bernard’s Church in Tariffville and then St. Therese Church in Granby. He served on the Board and as President of both the Metacomet Village Association and the East Granby Library Association and was a member of St. Bernard’s Finance Committee and Parish Council. A dedicated sports fanatic, Tom loved to root on his grandchildren at their various sporting events, and had a particular passion for Notre Dame Football and UCONN Women’s Basketball. He was an avid reader and storyteller, and was fascinated with military jets and everything aeronautical.

Tom is survived by his children: Patrick Nichols and his wife Marianne of Hardyston, NJ; the Right Reverend Kevin Nichols and his wife Patti of Bethlehem, PA; and Katie Churchill and her husband Jim of Windsor, CT; his sister, Elizabeth Nichols of Albany, NY; his grandchildren: Lindsay Nichols; Tyler Nichols; Graham Oakland (Rachel); Bryan Oakland; Lindsay Rennie (Michael); Keaton Nichols; Winston Churchill and Clark Churchill; great grandchildren: Taylor, Kai, and Kade Oakland; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three siblings: John, Basil, and Eugenia Nichols.

There are no calling hours. A Funeral Service will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Friday, January 24th at St. Therese Church, 120 West Granby Road in Granby. Burial in St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Tariffville will be private. Memorial donations may be made to the East Granby Library, P.O. Box G, East Granby, CT 06026, St. Therese Parish, 120 West Granby Road, Granby, Ct 06035 or The Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem (Bishop’s Discretionary Fund) 333 Wyandotte Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015. Please visit Tom’s “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online tributes.