Westhampton Beach Native David Nichols Dies At 76

David Nichols

Westhampton Beach native David Nichols of Naples, Florida, died on November 27 at his home. He was 76.

Born in Westhampton Beach, he was the son of Elizabeth Nichols and the grandson of Telie Nichols of the Grassmere Inn. He graduated from Westhampton Beach High School and attended the University of Florida in Gainesville. He served in the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Naval Reserve and the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve.

In Westhampton Beach he was a member of the Beach United Methodist Church and served as a volunteer ambulance driver and was on the Westhampton Beach Village Board of Trustees in the late 1960s. He was also the owner and operator of The Buoy and The Spindrift, before moving to Florida in 1969, and ultimately to Naples in 1972.

There he was the manager of Wiggins Pass Marina and the owner of Nichols Marine at the City Dock, as well as a member of the North Naples Methodist Church.

An avid lover of the water and boating, he was a professional yacht captain for many private individuals in the Naples community. As a licensed U.S. Coast Guard master mariner, he shared his vast knowledge of the sea with generations of boaters. From mentoring young captains to leading groups to the Bahamas, family said, he used his experience to benefit many. In 1990 he supervised the construction of the 105’ Broward yacht “Miss Pauline,” which was the first pleasure vessel to feature the Leon Z Drive. He was known affectionately by his nickname “Captain Nine-Knots” and his love of the ocean was only surpassed by his love for his wife and children, survivors recalled.

According to family, Mr. Nichols will be remembered as a man of integrity with a dedicated work ethic and his loyalty and humor will be missed by his family and many friends.

He is survived by his childhood sweetheart and wife of 56 years, Deborah Nichols of Florida; three daughters, Sharon and her husband Christopher Randolph of Tennessee, Susan Abreu, and Stephanie and her husband William Matchekosky, all of Florida; a son, Robert Nichols and his wife Ellen of Florida; two granddaughters, Jennifer Abreu and Abigail Brown, both of Florida; eight grandsons, Matthew Lipsky of Illinois, Benjamin Biela of Michigan, Clayton Biela and Robert Sparkman and his wife Aliza, all of Indiana, and Cole Nichols, William Matchekosky, Kristopher Nichols and his wife Ashley and Caleb Sparkman and his wife Susanne, all of Florida; three great-granddaughters, Kayla Nichols of Florida and Madison and Lillian Sparkman of Indiana; two great-grandsons, Andrew Nichols and Jonathan Cloud, of Florida; and a nephew, Brian Ashton of California.

A celebration of his life will be held in March 2011. In lieu of flowers donations to New Horizons of SW Florida, P.O. Box 111833, Naples, FL 34108 would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be left at fullerfuneralhome.com.