Jan. 30, 1929 – Nov. 17, 2024

Samuel R. Nicholson, beloved husband, dad and gramps, passed away at home after a short illness. He was born in New Jersey to Jessie and Sam Nicholson. He married Patricia Seeber in 1954 in Darmstadt, Germany while he was finishing his U.S. Army obligation. They honeymooned throughout Europe.

Sam and Pat spent most of their 64 years of marriage raising their four children in La Crescenta. Sam attended Toll Jr. H.S. and Hoover H.S. in Glendale. He earned a track and field scholarship to the University of Southern California where he was on three national championship teams. He earned his degree in education. He was a member of Kappa fraternity. Sam loved being an educator and coach. He coached track at Hoover H.S. and was a vice principal at Clark Jr. H.S. and Glendale H.S. before becoming a principal at Rosemont Jr. H.S. and Crescenta Valley H.S. He retired from Glendale Unified School District in 1988. It seemed no matter where Sam traveled, someone would come up to him and ask, “Mr. Nicholson, is that you?” because he touched so many lives during his career and life.

As a 60-plus year member of St. James the Less Catholic Church, Sam served on many of the parish committees, as well as being a lector and member of the choir. 

In 2005, Pope John Paul II honored Sam and Pat with the Benemerenti Medal for outstanding laity service to the Roman Catholic Church.

Sam attended most of the activities and games of his children and grandchildren throughout the years. He continued to attend CVHS games and meets during his retirement and loved keeping in touch with students past and present. Sam was past president of the Glendale YMCA Quarterback Club and his alter ego – Nick the Greek –entertained with his Pick a of the Week. Sam created, and he and Pat performed, the Old Time Radio Show and donated the money they raised to the CVHS student scholarship award. He was a member of the CVHS Athletic Hall of Fame committee and was inducted into it in 2022. Sam was a proud and loyal Trojan and past president of the Trojan Force, which supports the USC Track & Field Program. He was honored with the Heritage Award in 2007. 

Sam loved to travel and play golf well into his 80s. He was a well-known woodworker and made thousands of Sam’s Santas, which are prized by those who display them each holiday season. He loved his many friends and family and was always ready with a song, a funny story, joke and words of wisdom and support.

Sam lost his beloved wife of 64 years, Pat, in 2018. He is lovingly survived by sons Cameron (Mary) and Bob (Lori); daughters Kathy (Gary) Strangis and Karen (Tim) Bauer; 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren and brother-in-law George (Jerry) Seeber.

A memorial Mass will be held on Sam’s 96th birthday on Jan. 30 at 10 a.m. at St. James the Less Catholic Church, 4651 Dunsmore in La Crescenta.