Gerald "Marty" Nichols

Gerald Martin “Marty” Nichols passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at the age of 87 in Rockledge, FL. Marty will be lovingly remembered by his surviving wife of 57 years, Lucille Nichols. He is also survived by his brother and sister, Timothy H. Nichols and Patricia J. Baker (Nichols). Marty was a dear father to Michelle Jones (Nichols), John Nichols, and Paula Darby (Nichols) and beloved Pop-Pop to his six grandchildren Christopher, Allison, Crystal, Kyle, Jeremy and Shana. His was also a great grandfather to Finn, AvaReign and Abigail.

Marty was born in Washington, D.C. during the height of the Great Depression. He joined the US Army in 1948 where he served for over 20 years before retiring. After retirement, he worked for various government contractors at Goddard Space Center in Maryland and then in June of 1978 moved to Florida to finish his career at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, FL.

Besides God, family and country – Marty was enamored with his trombone and jazz music. Music from the likes of Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Wild Bill Davison. Marty’s musical career started in Chicago in 1952 where he attended the Roy C. Knapp School of Percussion. Marty played his trombone up until a week before he passed. His talent and love of music is carried on by his family.

Friends and family will be received at Brevard Memorial Park, 5475 N. US1, Cocoa, FL. on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, 6 pm – 8 pm. A funeral mass will be held at St. Mary in Rockledge, FL on Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at 11 am.