Bruce James Nicoll

He was born on December 18th, 1956, in Westfield, Massachusetts. At birth, his life was saved by a blood donor, which inspired a lifelong mission of giving back. Over the years, he donated 57 units to help others.

He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who never missed an opportunity to tell a great joke or story (never letting the facts get in the way, of course). Bruce spent the bulk of his career working in software development for the banking industry—though if you asked him, he’d simply say, “I just program computers.” Beyond a pixelated screen, he loved spending time with his family and took them to the beach annually. At the coast, he could always be found losing ballcaps while body surfing, falling asleep with a book in hand, cracking open an ice-cold beer, or taking long walks with his high school sweetheart and wife of 48 years, Amenie J. Nicoll.

Bruce was an avid baseball fan who grew up cheering for the Red Sox before dropping them—and his “Yankee accent”—to adopt the Braves. He taught both of his sons the game and spent a lifetime sharing that passion with his boys by playing, traveling to, and watching games any chance he could.

Though not a fan of long phone conversations, Bruce rarely missed daily calls from his children, embracing the chance to be present and keep up with their lives. He was the morning drive entertainer, and his kids cherished his wonderful “Nicoll” sense of humor and infectious laugh.

Education was of the utmost importance to Bruce. He created sayings to reinforce his beliefs, like “Work smart, study hard” and the “3 B’s of Life: Books, Baseball, Babes,” which he shared with his children daily. He put all three of his kids through college, culminating in one of his proudest moments: watching his daughter graduate from nursing school, fulfilling her dream of becoming a NICU nurse.

Bruce, an avid family man, loved his promotion from Pops to PopPops. He relished every moment spent with his beloved grandchildren. His legacy of presence, love, and devotion to family will live on through them—echoed in every laugh, lesson, and story they carry forward.

He is survived by his wife, Amenie; his three children, Laura, Matthew, and Ryan; his grandchildren, Luna, Riverbelle, Poppy, and Lincoln; his daughters-in-law, Jennifer and Janet; his sister, Leonie Nicoll; his close family Janine Wallace, Christopher Wallace, Mary Wallace, and Peter Brock; and his dachshund, Fenway—the Father’s Day present he never wanted, but fell in love with.

At the end, he left as he arrived: continuing to fulfill his lifelong mission by donating his body to help others (even though he probably didn’t want them to touch his eyes).

A celebration of life will be held on the beach at Oak Island. Date and time will be shared by the family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association.

And always remember: “Happiness is a choice.”

Online condolences may be made at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com

Peacock - Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service, Southport, North Carolina.