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Published in Orlando Sentinel on Dec. 17, 2009.

NICHOLSON, COL.
GILBERT O., retired U.S. Air Force, passed away Dec. 13 from an extended illness. He was born in Connellsville, PA on March 4, 1925. His parents were the late Samuel and Florence (Mason) Nicholson. He is survived by his wife Barbara of 40 years; children Gilbert Jr., Sandy, Paul, Jeff, and Ann; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; as well as two brothers Glen and Samuel (Art). Col. "Nick" Nicholson was recruited into the military at 17 and flew combat missions over Germany in WWII. He received the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Legion of Merit during his career. Nick served as a bomber pilot, flight instructor, test pilot, hurricane chaser pilot, director of R&D, and AF ROTC commander at Ohio University. He retired from the Air Force in 1974 after 32 years of service. Nick was a member of the Osceola County Shrine Club and the Bahia Shrine as well as the St. Cloud and the Kissimmee Rotary Clubs. Nick was as a board member for the Council on Aging and the Osceola Center for the Arts and also volunteered with Meals on Wheels and SCORE. He was a mentor for the St. Cloud school system and an elder of the St. Cloud Presbyterian Church. Nick will be truly missed by his friends and family. A Visitation will be held at Fisk Funeral Home on Monday, Jan. 18 from 5 to 8 p.m. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 19 at St. Cloud Presbyterian at 10 a.m., followed by inurnment at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorials in Gilbert Nicholson's honor be made to the St. Cloud Presbyterian Church, the Osceola County Council on Aging, or the Alzheimer's Association at 378 Center Pointe Circle, Ste. 1280, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701. Arrangements under the direction of Fisk Funeral Home, 1107 Massachusetts Ave., St. Cloud, FL.