PLEASANT POINT – Joseph “Cozy” Nicholas, 82, died Wednesday, July 2, 2008, at a Calais hospital. Joe was born July 17, 1925, in Pleasant Point, son of the late James Cheverie and Josephine Nicholas. Cozy served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. His Navy tour of duty included serving aboard the USS Curtis, an aircraft tender, in the Pacific Theatre. Joe was involved in the battles at Guam, Saipan and Okinawa. He was a Kamikaze survivor. After his Navy tour, he returned to Pleasant Point and finished earning his diploma from Shead Memorial High School. After graduation, he attended barbering school in Lewiston and owned and operated his own barbershop in Eastport until his retirement. Joe was a member of Knights of Columbus Council 673, Eastport, where he served as grand knight for many years; Passamaquoddy Memorial VFW Post 11299, Pembroke; and Fred Mitchell Post 11 American Legion, Eastport. Cozy received honorary degrees from Washington County Community College, University of Maine and St. Joseph College. He served on the council with Pleasant Point for more than eight years and was the Passamaquoddy representative to the Maine Legislature for a total of 12 years. Joe earned the distinction of being the first Native American representative to be seated in the Maine Legislature. He was the curator for Wabinaki Museum and was instrumental in reviving the annual “Indian Days” celebration at Pleasant Point. Joe was active with St. Ann R.C. Church and served as a eucharistic minister for more than 15 years. Cozy enjoyed playing bingo, camping with friends and family, and enjoying life. In addition his parents, he was predeceased by a sister, Eva Nicholas; and four brothers, Calvin, Philip, Horace and Roy Nicholas. Surviving are his five children, Joseph S. Nicholas, Edwin Dana and his wife, Linda, Diane Apt, and Alberta Nicholas, all of Pleasant Point, and Freda Moore of East Hartford, Conn.; his special companion, Rose Newell; many grandchildren, including Melvin Francis Jr. and his wife, Tammy, Stephanie Francis and her companion, Donald Soctomah, Marie Hopkins and her husband, Mark, and Scott and Steven Francis; great-grandsons, Joseph and Steven Francis; many other great-grand-children and great-great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews; and three life-long friends, David Francis and Father Mike McGarrigle and Roy Neptune Sr., who he called his brother. Friends may call starting 11 a.m. Saturday, July 5, until 9 a.m. Monday at his home, 419 County Road, Pleasant Point. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Monday at St. Ann R.C. Church by Father Frank Morin. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe’s memory may be made to St. Ann R.C. Church, P.O. Box 898, Calais, ME 04619. Arrangements by Mays Funeral Home, Calais and Eastport. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.maysfuneralhome.com.
JOSEPH ‘COZY’ NICHOLAS
