Thomas Nicholson

1930 - 2018

Thomas Nicholson obituary, 1930-2018, Charlottesville, VA

BORN

1930

DIED

2018

FUNERAL HOME

Teague Funeral Home

2260 IVY RD

Charlottesville, Virginia

Thomas Nicholson Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jan. 14, 2018.

Thomas Francis Nicholson, 87, of Charlottesville, passed away on January 14, 2018. Thomas was born on June 24, 1930, in Boston, to the late Thomas Ignatius and Helen Healy Nicholson. Mr. Nicholson was a partner of West*Group, a leading real estate development, construction, and property management firm with projects in Fairfax and Montgomery Counties. West*Group became the original developers of over 560 acres in then-rural Tysons Corner. From the 1990s, until its sale in 2010, West*Group also re-developed the area through an ambitious, high-density urban planning and mass transit scheme. Together with his partners at West*Group, Charles Ewing Jr, Gerald Halpin, and Rudolph Seeley, Mr. Nicholson played a significant role in Fairfax County's transformation into an international economic and educational powerhouse.
Mr. Nicholson was a graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Class of '50, earning a Chief Engineer's license. He served as a U.S. Navy lieutenant, becoming one of the youngest commissioned naval officers at that time. He received his MBA from Harvard Business School, Class of '56, where he co-founded the International Club with the patronage of his HBS professor, Georges Doriot, a pioneer in the field of global venture capital. Throughout his life, Mr. Nicholson was inspired by Doriot's vision of HBS graduates as ethical, creative leaders with the "vision of things to be done."
Soon after graduation, Mr. Nicholson held an executive position at Atlantic Research Corporation in Alexandria where he met his future partners in Westpark (later West*Group). Through this partnership, Mr. Nicholson played a leading role in the remarkable history of Tysons, as it grew from rural farmland in the 1960s to a tech, defense, and commercial hub which, by 1985, had become "the Washington area's Main Street," according to The Washington Post.
Among his peers, Mr. Nicholson was known for his astute judgment, gentlemanly demeanor, and his compelling vision of Northern Virginia's future. Mr. Nicholson served on the board of World Resources Corp. and also on the board of United Virginia Bank, renamed Crestar, the largest Virginia bank at the time it was acquired by Suntrust Banks in 1998. He was a director of the Greater Washington Board of Trade. With his partners Mr. Ewing and Mr. Halpin, he received a Core Values award in 2003 acknowledging West*Group's pivotal contributions to the INOVA Health System. In 2007, Mr. Nicholson received an honorary doctorate in public administration from Gov. Deval Patrick at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, in recognition of both his philanthropic and business accomplishments.
Mr. Nicholson's philanthropy reflected his lifelong interests in international leadership, the arts, education, and healthcare. Mr. Nicholson was vice-chair of the board at the Irish American Partnership, an international organization dedicated to leadership and educational development in the Republic of Ireland.
He was an enthusiastic supporter of the new Carnegie Arts Centre in Kenmare, Co. Kerry, and other cultural organizations, both in the commonwealth and in Ireland, his beloved second homeland. He made sizable, private gifts to schools, hospitals, environmental groups, universities, and to dozens of nonprofits dedicated to health and counseling, here and in Eire. Many nonprofit leaders relied on his vision and on his advice as much as his tangible support.
In the context of regional nonprofits, he was best known as a co-founder and long-time board member of Innisfree Village in Crozet Virginia, a co-living, therapeutic community for adults with intellectual disabilities, founded in 1971. Innisfree's unique mission, and the indefatigable kindness of its co-workers and volunteers held a special place in his heart.
He was a generous donor of the Richmond diocese, and he took the lead in expansion projects at his church, St Thomas Aquinas, in Charlottesville.
Known by his neighbors in County Kerry and Virginia to be a careful listener, a hospitable host, and a compassionate ally in hard times, many friends join his family in mourning the loss of this gentle man. He is dearly missed by his loving family, his wife of 62 years, Sheridan Winthrop Wood Nicholson, also his daughters Susanna and Bridget, his son-in-law law John Moore, and his granddaughter, Laura. In addition to his parents, Thomas was preceded in death by his brothers Stephen and John.
A funeral mass celebrating Tom's life and friendships will be held at 2 pm Saturday March 3, 2018 at St Thomas Aquinas. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Tom's honor may be made to any of the above-named charitable organizations.

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12 Entries

March 3, 2018

Gary Gallaugher

It was a privedge to have been able to meet Tom. He was a remarkable man. He was an incredible inspiration to so many. Always humble and always grateful. It has been an honor to serve him and Sherry. You are truly missed.

February 11, 2018

Pam Tinker

Tom and the Nicholson Family have been an inspiration and support since the founding days of Frog Pond Early Learning Center. As we celebrate twenty years of serving children and their families in Alexandria, Virginia, I would like to acknowledge that our non-profit would not exist today without the guidance and financial support Tom and the Nicholson Family provided. Tom's voice on the end of the telephone line during times of need was always kind, astute, and generous. My condolences to the Nicholson Family.
Pam Tinker, President and Founder of Frog Pond Early Learning Center.

February 10, 2018

Sally Ewing Sagarese

Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts

February 10, 2018

Sally Ewing - Sagarese

We are so saddened by this news. Tom was a kind and wonderful man. He was not only my Dad's business partner but his good friend. It's a true loss.
Our deepest and heartfelt condolences.

January 26, 2018

Sincere sympathies to all the Nicholson family on the sad loss of our dear friend Tom from Dr Rose Dr Hilda , Margaret and all the staff of Kenmare Hospital .

January 26, 2018

Our sincere sympathy to Sherry, Susanna, Bridget, Laura and the extended Nicholson family on the death of their beloved Tom.
Our deepest gratitude to him for his great interest and support over many years.
Thank you, and Rest in Peace.

Mary Fitzgerald.
Friends of Kenmare Community Hospital

January 20, 2018

To Ms Nicholson, Suzanna, Bridget,Laura and extended family and friends.

Our deepest sympathy to you all on the death of Mr Nicholson. A wonderful gentleman.It was always lovely to see him coming into the shop and meet him around Kenmare.
My his gentle soul rest in Peace

Mary and Michael O Donoghue (Roddys)
Kenmare Co KERRY

January 19, 2018

When people we love pass away, they continue to live in our memories. Our thoughts and love are with Bridget and the entire Nicholson Family. We thank Tom for his years of dedication to and for Innisfree. Brooke and Andi Robbins

January 18, 2018

Susan Von Hemert

Tom was such a kind, gentle man and it wan an honor to have spent time with him. He will be missed. Love to you all!
Love, Susan

January 17, 2018

Michael Hentges

If all the folks who benefited from Tom's private acts of caring and generosity could find voice together, we would hear a true song of grace and compassion. I have known no one finer or more kind, or of heart as strong as mind.

Posted by Michael Hentges

January 17, 2018

Shane Dalton

Thinking of you all at this sad time. Our deepest sympathies to all the Nicholson family and friends. Thank you for your kindness and support over the years.
Rest in Peace
Shane, Martina & all at St John of God Services, Kenmare

January 16, 2018

Thinking of you at this sad time.We have many happy memories of Tom - our chats and will always remember his positive attitude and his generosity to the schools in the greater Kenmare area. From John & Maureen Finnegan and family, 37 Henry St. Kenmare, Co. Kerry

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