Harvey John Nickelson

Harvey John Nickelson was born on September 19, 1943, to Jane Pierce Nickelson and Cecil Nickelson. He passed away peacefully on February 22, 2026, surrounded by those who loved him deeply.

Raised in San Bruno, California, by his strong and spirited Irish mother alongside his three siblings, Harvey grew up in a home where hard work, loyalty, humor, and resilience were daily lessons. Those enduring values shaped the course of his life and the man he became.

From an early age, he was athletic, competitive, and disciplined. He played Little League and became an accomplished gymnast at Capuchino High School, where he also met his first wife, Sandra Brown (Nelson). They married in 1963 and welcomed their daughter, Kristine, later that year.

Harvey attended San Francisco State University on scholarship, playing football while earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology. Determined and industrious, he worked the graveyard shift at Wells Fargo Bank to support his family while attending college. During those years, he discovered a lifelong love of rugby, first playing recreationally and later as a member of the Olympic Club for a decade.

After graduation, Wells Fargo recruited Harvey into its training department. He quickly advanced through the ranks, moving his family first to Cupertino and then to Santa Cruz in 1972, where he served as Assistant Branch Manager and Loan Officer at the River Street branch. During this time, Harvey earned a master's degree from the University of Washington’s Pacific Coast Banking School. He later joined First National Bank of San Jose, but his most defining professional chapter was still ahead.

Harvey was selected to lead a startup bank in Santa Cruz—what would become Coast Commercial Bank. As President and CEO, he embodied the true meaning of a community banker. He believed business success and civic responsibility were inseparable. He encouraged his employees to engage in nonprofit service and led by example, giving generously of both his time and his resources. He was named “Man of the Year” by multiple organizations, and under his leadership, Coast Commercial Bank received numerous “Business of the Year” honors.

When the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake devastated Santa Cruz County, Coast Commercial Bank was the only bank actively lending to help rebuild the community. Harvey urged employees and residents alike to support their neighbors and local businesses by shopping locally rather than taking their business elsewhere. He provided steady, confident leadership during a time of uncertainty, remaining unwavering in his commitment to the vitality of Santa Cruz County.

Beyond banking, Harvey had a deep passion for sports and fellowship. He remained active throughout his life and excelled in many sports, including tennis, scuba diving, downhill skiing, running, and golf. For decades, he was a familiar presence at Pasatiempo Golf Club—playing rounds with friends, competing in tournaments, afterward settling into the clubhouse to roll dice and offer friends one of his famously generous glasses of wine affectionately known as “The Harvey Pour.” His warmth, humor, and easy hospitality became part of his legend.

He delighted in hosting lively gatherings filled with laughter and abundance—including Fourth of July barbecues complete with spirited baseball games at the neighborhood elementary school playground and playful antics that stretched long into the evening. For Harvey, bringing people together was never merely a pastime; it was a joy, a calling, and a gift he gave freely.

In 1984, he married Judy (Kody) Nickelson, the great love of his life. Together they traveled the world and became fixtures at charitable events throughout Santa Cruz County. They served on numerous nonprofit boards and frequently opened their home to host gatherings in support of community causes.

In 2020, Harvey and Judy began a new adventure, relocating to Summerlin, Nevada. There, they quickly built lasting friendships and became beloved regulars at their favorite local restaurants—introducing “The Harvey Pour” to an entirely new circle of friends. For Harvey, age was “just a number,” and Las Vegas became a stage for continued adventure. He embraced life fully and enthusiastically—cheering on the newly relocated Raiders, taking laps at race car driving schools, attending concerts, dancing to Bruno Mars, and joining visiting Santa Cruz friends in unforgettable helicopter rides over Red Rock Canyon. He lived those years with the same bold energy, curiosity, and joy that had always defined him.

After Judy’s passing in 2025, Harvey prepared to return to Scotts Valley to be closer to family. Through the fall and winter, he and his daughter Kristine spent many meaningful hours together planning the renovation of a condominium in town, while his son-in-law Chris oversaw the project. The family eagerly anticipated his imminent return to Santa Cruz County.

In November, Harvey and fifteen close family members gathered in Hawaii for a treasured week together. Harvey reconnected with friends, shared countless dinners, and enjoyed a special, last-minute lunch with Kristine at Mama’s Fish House in Paia—a memory that will forever remain close to her heart.

Shortly after returning from Hawaii, Harvey learned that the cancer he had battled the previous years had metastasized, and he began treatment in Las Vegas. After returning there for what would be his final round of treatment, Kristine, Chris, and close friends joined him for what they lovingly called “Harvey’s Final Tour”—visiting his favorite restaurants one last time. Though tired, he treasured those moments of laughter, fellowship, and love.

Though his final chapter was shorter than anyone had hoped, Harvey faced it with strength, gratitude, humor, and unwavering devotion to those he loved. On the morning of February 22, he was taken to the hospital and passed peacefully that evening. He had been scheduled to fly home just days later to begin his next chapter in Scotts Valley.

Harvey is survived by his daughter, Kristine Ronzano (Chris); his grandchildren, Bonnie Costa, Brett Costa, and Samantha Ronzano; his sister, Helen Arens; and his brother, Tom Nickelson.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Judy Nickelson; his brother, Michael Nickelson; and his granddaughter, Stephany Costa.

Harvey will be remembered for his steady leadership, generous spirit, quick wit, and deep devotion to family and community. His legacy endures not only in the institutions he built and the community he strengthened, but in the countless lives he touched with encouragement, loyalty, and love. He leaves behind a family shaped by his example and a community made stronger by his presence.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Santa Cruz at the Boardwalk Sunroom on March 17th 11am – 1pm. Please wear something that reminds you of Harvey or green for St. Patrick’s Day. There will also be a small gathering at a later date in Las Vegas. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Harvey’s memory to a Santa Cruz County charity supporting community development or youth programs.