Horace S. Nichols

Horace Skelton Nichols, known affectionately as ‘Nick”, passed away peacefully in his home in Boston on March 28th. Boston was truly the hub of his universe and he truly epitomized the proper Bostonian. Mr. Nichols graduated from Boston University after briefly serving in the US Navy in San Diego. Ironically, his last naval assignment brought him back to his beloved Boston.

His timing was perfect and luck was on his side when he started his career at Putnam Management Company. He started out as a statistician/analyst in 1950. He moved quickly up the ranks as a securities analyst and eventually a portfolio manager of The George Putnam Fund and The Putnam Investors Fund. Nick was one of the key investment professionals contributing to Putnam’s growth including the growth of the Putnam Advisory Company which was founded in 1969. In 1975 Mr. Nichols left Putnam to take over Hunter Associates, a trust advisory company which he was the managing partner through the end of 2012. Horace Nichols’ passing marks the end of an era of the money manager and financial analyst who truly took the long-term perspective towards investing versus today’s trading oriented culture.

In his role as trustee of the Saquish Foundation, Mr. Nichols oversaw the investment and allocation of funds to numerous academic and charitable institutions. He was an active member of several Unitarian Universalist congregations, the Arlington Street Church, The First Parish of Weston, First Parish of Brewster and for the past 25 years the First Church of Boston. Mr. Nichols was a past trustee of Old Sturbridge Village and was President of the Board of Trustees of Wilbraham Monson Academy from where he graduated. He was also a trustee and treasurer of Wellesley College from 1976-1983 and later named Trustee Emeritus.

He loved his Boston teams, especially the Red Sox, Bruins, and Celtics and his moods were often determined by the outcome of these games. His generous spirit was felt by all. He was always looking out after the underdog and he had his favorite street people who he would often introduce to others as his friends. Nick loved Boston, the Symphony, the Public Garden, the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, the 4th of July on the Esplanade. One of his most anticipated days of the year was the first swan boat ride with the mayor. Last year, he didn’t make the boat in time but waved to the mayor from the bridge. A memorial service will be held on April 20th at First Church Boston at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to "Friends of the Boston Public Garden" at 69 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02108.