Obituaries: Michael Gifford "Mike" Nichols

LONG BEACH – Michael G. “Mike” Nichols, 70, died March 5, 2008, at his Long Beach residence following a lengthy battle with cancer.

The son of Marcus and Victoria (Nelson) Nichols, he was born June 9, 1937, in Astoria, Ore. He attended grammar school in Washington state and high school in California. Shortly after high school graduation he returned to Washington state and married his wife, Earlene. They made their first home in Redwood City, Calif., where he was a machinist for Ampex Corporation.

In 1964 they returned to Washington state, settling on the Long Beach Peninsula. He worked at Sedy’s Mill, Art’s Auto Parts and for his great uncle Charles Nelson in his cranberry bog. In 1975 he purchased a small cranberry farm which he operated until retirement in 1995.

Mr. Nichols loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting and taking his family and friends on boat rides on Willapa Bay and over to Long Island. He and his three sons began competing in motocross races in the late 1960s and his sons and grandson are still involved in this sport. He also coached his sons’ Little League baseball team. He designed and built cranberry beaters that are used during harvest. Many of the local farmers use his design and he was often consulted by his fellow farmers to help solve harvesting problems.

He is survived by his wife, Earlene; sons, Jerry and Philip both of Vancouver, and Michael of Long Beach; daughter, Laura of Long Beach; mother, Victoria Nichols of Vancouver; seven granddaughters, three grandsons and three great-grandchildren whom he adored. He enjoyed spending time with his entire family and numerous friends, one of whom was life-long friend Phillip Stamp of Nahcotta. He was preceded in death by his father, Marcus, sister, Polly Janus and twin granddaughters Lee Ann and Kristen Hill.

A celebration of his life will be at 11 a.m., on Saturday, March 22, at the Peninsula Church Center in Seaview. A reception follows in the church social hall. Private committal will be at Oysterville Cemetery. The family suggests memorials to either Harbors Home Health and Hospice or the Peninsula Boys and Girls Club in care of Penttila’s Chapel, P.O. Box 417, Long Beach, WA 98631. Please sign the guest book at www.penttilaschapel.com.