Timothy Dolan Nicholson Sr.

After spending a family weekend with his wife, children, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren, Timothy Dolan Nicholson, Sr., 79, passed peacefully on July 6, 2022, having endured a year-long illness that he managed through with steadfast faith and with the quiet strength for which he was known and admired for by all.

Tim attended Le Moyne College (Syracuse, New York) where he played soccer and graduated with honors in 1965 with degrees in economics and political science. He was successful in all of his professional pursuits over the years. Career highlights include his many years as Executive Vice-President and then President of Political Research, Inc., and his time at Dolphin Capital.

His Catholic faith served as his lifelong guidepost. From his early days as an altar boy at his parish/grade school, Most Holy Rosary, to his membership in “The Men’s Club” at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton organizing the annual Easter Egg Hunt or Christmas Tree Sale, he made church attendance (even on vacation) and involvement at church a top priority for himself and his family.

Tim instilled in his children a strong work ethic, family first, faith, and fortitude. He provided guidance through all life‘s ups and downs with an unwavering calm, cool and collectiveness, immense faith, a sense of humor, compassion, solid and practical advice, and steadfast love. Whether it was coaching little league teams, attending band, choral and orchestra concerts, watching endless soccer, baseball, basketball, and lacrosse games, or driving the boat on Lake Tawakoni with friends and family in tow, he was indeed the best of the best of fathers.

As amazing as he was as a father, his 24 years as a grandfather was his ultimate satisfaction indeed. "Grandpa", “BFF” or “Papa Tim”, as he was lovingly called by his grandchildren, never missed an opportunity to be present at any minor or major life events of his beloved grandchildren. Over the past 14 months of his illness, his grandchildren showed up in force to be his favorite caregivers, back rubbers, card sharks, game players, movie watchers, jokesters, artists, card makers, donut party suppliers, entertainers, conversationalists, and wheelchair drivers.

He was also loved and admired by his sons-in-law and daughters-in-law who he loved as if they were his very own children.

The best gift he gave his family was his devotion to his marriage. He and Sharon modeled everything a healthy, happy and holy union should be over their 56 years together living out all their vows but most recently showing us the meaning of “in sickness and in health”.

Tim led by example and his quiet, unassuming disposition allowed him to be the voice of reason and pillar of strength in every situation.

He will be joyfully welcomed to his heavenly home by his parents Ambrose Dolan and Mary Patricia Thater Nicholson, and his brother Terrance Gerard Nicholson along with his in-laws Lawrence Leo “Shorty” and Margaret Virginia “Peg” Hess, all formerly of Syracuse, New York.

Tim is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 56 years, Sharon Louise Hess Nicholson, their 5 children and 13 grandchildren: Michelle Louise Barber, husband Kevin, children: Madeline, Audrey, Kate, and Mary (Nashville, Tennessee); Lorelei “Lori” Ann Henke, husband Bryan, children: Robert, Justin, and Megan (Roebuck, South Carolina); Timothy  “Tim” D. Nicholson, Jr., wife Jennifer, children: Dolan and Margaret (Denton, Texas); Beth Ann Lucas and son Britten (Austin, Texas) and Travis Lawrence Nicholson, wife Amy, children: Dray, Devyn, and Dane (Ola, Texas); his sister-in-law, Joanne Stapleton Nicholson (Syracuse, New York) and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Patricia Hess Lyons and Richard Lyons (Syracuse, New York) and nieces and nephews Kelly Lyons Kretschmer(Vince), Rick Lyons(Terry), Kris Lyons Ray(John), Erin Lyons Kozlowski (Scott) and all of their children; along with his Seneca Falls, New York, cousins. In addition to his loving family, Tim will also be missed by the dear friends he collected over the years from Syracuse, New York to those friends he and Sharon made from their many home cities in Texas.

During his time in the care of Good Samaritan at Denton Village, his wonderful medical team became family and for that, we are most grateful.

Services will be held at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church (2700 Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, Texas 75023). The family will receive friends and family for visitation from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM on Friday, July 22, 2022, and the funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, July 23, 2022, at 11:00 AM with a reception to follow at the church campus. If you wish to join the mass via webcast, please visit: https://youtu.be/CCoTQQXfP9A

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Timothy D. Nicholson, Sr. to MD Anderson Brain Tumor Research click here , to The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation click here ; or to the American Diabetes Association click here .