Obituary of Jeffrey Porter Nicholson

Services will be held in Santa Cruz on Saturday for Jeffrey Nicholson who passed away peacefully in Santa Cruz on February 10, 2014 following a lengthy battle against cancer. Mr. Nicholson enjoyed celebrating his 70th birthday on January 27th. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, he graduated from Bethel Park High School, and attended Point Park College in Pittsburgh. Upon completing his education, Mr. Nicholson served his country in the US Marines Corps from 1969 to 1975. For more than 35 years, Mr. Nicholson was a food and beverage director in New Orleans, Pittsburgh, and Atlanta. He loved his family, the outdoors and wagering on football games, and enjoyed winding down listening to smooth jazz. He was a wonderful father, scoutmaster and soccer coach, with boundless support for his son. Upon moving to Santa Cruz 15 years ago, Mr. Nicholson began a second career in sales with Kelly Moore Paints on Ocean Street. He leaves many dear friends, co-workers and colleagues, who respected his knowledge in the commercial paint trade and construction industry. The move to the left coast provided him the opportunity to explore his hobby of boating; and fond memories of adventures on the Monterey Bay will be cherished by his family and friends. Mr. Nicholson is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Joshua and Elizabeth Nicholson and their daughter Abigail Nancy Nicholson. He also leaves his former spouse and dear friend, Susi Nicholson of Scottsdale, Arizona; and his two sisters, Sally Nicholson of San Francisco, Nancy and Tom Driscoll of Mt. Shasta. A farewell celebration to honor Mr. Nicholson will be on Saturday, February 15th at the Paradox Hotel, Cypress Room from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Any kind acts of charity can be made in his memory to the Wounded Warriors Project. A private burial will take place in his family's plot at Bethel Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Pennsylvania.