Douglas A. Nichols

Douglas Allen Nichols passed away due to complications from a stroke at Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse on October 5, 2025 at the age of 92. Doug was born in Malone, NY to the parents of Addie Jones Nichols and Clarence Nichols. In 1956 he married Jacqueline Flack a marriage which lasted until her death on January 8, 2025.

Doug was a leader in all aspects of his life, both in his professional and recreational endeavors.

Doug became a music teacher at Carthage Central High after obtaining an MA degree from Columbia University in New York. He led the Carthage Central High school in many BiCounty music competitions achieving ratings of A. During his teaching career he met the original owners of Jreck Subs and as a result, invested in the company becoming part of the management team. The joke among the owners was that Doug was the Arch on the original sign above the letters JRECK signifying he was watching over what the others were doing.

In the fall Doug focused his attention on the ducks in Hardscrabble Bay, specifically Blue Bills. He loved hunting these ducks and devoted much of his time, from August until they arrived in November, plotting how to outwit them into his decoy spread.

Doug also had a passion for chasing small mouth bass in and around Hard Scrabble Bay to the extent that he obtained his license to guide from the Coast Guard. He chartered parties in the region until the mercury scare which had an adverse effect on the desire from those interested in chartering a boat. This didn’t stop him from fishing though and when asked where he was catching them, he would often reply “out there”.

Eventually Doug and Jackie settled in their summer house in Hard Scrabble Bay and enjoyed the company which always came around to visit. During the winter months they would become Snow-Birds and head to Florida to escape the cold, snowy weather. They would continue this until obtaining a place at Ives Hill Retirement in Watertown, NY.

Doug is survived by his daughter Michele of Chicago, Ill and son Paul and his wife Susan of Chaumont, NY. He also has 7 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

Per Doug’s wishes, there will be no calling hours and he will be laid to rest beside his wife at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Chaumont, NY with a small ceremony at 11:00am on Saturday October 11, 2025.

The family would appreciate donations to the Stroke Center at Upstate University Hospital 750 East Adams Street, Syracuse, NY 13210. He was greatly loved and will be sorely missed.

Online condolences may be shared at www.clevelandfhinc.com. 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.