Rupert L. Nichols Jr.

after a long illness. Ren was an active and engaged member of the

Cape Cod boating and marine community as the President of Allen Harbor

Marine Service, Inc., in Harwich Port since 1990 .He was a 48 year

lifetime member of the United States Power Squadron, a national

organization dedicated to education on boating safety, where he rose

to the rank of Rear Commander. He was a longtime member of the

Massachusetts Marine Trades Association, serving continuously on the

Board of Directors since the 1980’s and as Board President from

2000-2002. The Nichols family was recently honored as one of the

“Founding Families” of the Association in conjunction with the 50th

anniversary of the group. The Cape Cod Marine Trades Association was

also a big part of Ren’s life. He served on their Board of Directors

and as Board President while playing a key role in organizing boat

shows and other activities throughout the years. Ren was a charter

member of the Allen Harbor Junior Yacht Club in his youth.

Ren was a productive participant and leader in a number of civic

organizations and charities. He profoundly respected first responders,

and was a supporter of the 100 Club of Massachusetts, which aids the

families of fallen police and firefighters. In addition, Ren was a

member of the Blue Knights, the charitable International Law

Enforcement Motorcycle Club, as well as the Harwich Police

Association. He was a longtime member of the Cape Cod Chamber of

Commerce, serving as its President from 1993-1995. Notably, Ren and

his father, Rupert Sr., were the only father and son to both be

elected to the office of President of the Chamber. .

Ren was born to Rupert Lorenzo and Icona Dodge Nichols on January 29,

1948 in Hyannis, MA and grew up in West Harwich. He was educated at

the Holderness School in Plymouth, New Hampshire and went on to

graduate from Cape Cod Community College. His early career was in

broadcasting, which had been his interest and hobby since childhood,

when he set up an amateur Ham radio station in the home basement. Ren

spent many years working as an announcer at WCOD radio on the Cape and

other area stations, including WOCB and WVLC, and developed a

professional speaking style that served him well in later work as a

successful fundraiser for Holderness School and the March of Dimes.

Supporting the fight against birth defects, he arranged and hosted

Cape Cod’s first March of Dimes telethon.

In addition to his career in radio, Ren was involved in the early days

of planning and development of cable television, working at

Cablevision for a number of years and participating in the Cable

Advisory Committee in Yarmouth.

Ren pursued a second career with his father at Allen Harbor Marine

Service. When Rupert Sr. retired, Ren assumed ownership and direction

of the expanding boatyard and remained in that capacity until his

death. In his leisure time he greatly enjoyed traveling, and spent

many pleasant vacations aboard cruise ships, where he indulged his

love of both the ocean and a good banquet table.

He is survived by his brother, Donald S. Nichols of Hyannis, and his

sister, Jane Cartmill of Encinitas, CA. as well as several cousins.

He leaves behind his close friend and caretaker of many years, Ralph

Cordeiro and his canine companion, “A.J.”

A final “Bon Voyage” will be held at Allen Harbor Yacht Club, 371

Lower County Road, Harwich Port, MA 02646 on Tuesday, April 15, 2014

from 12:00 noon to 5:00 PM.

Memorial donations

may be made to the 100 Club of Massachusetts, 17 Gloucester Street,

Boston, MA 02115, or to the Holderness School, Box 1879, Plymouth, NH

03264.