Obituary: Clement “Nick” Nickerson
Clement “Nick” Nickerson, 92, Leaves Legacy of Service, Family, and Golf
BROOKSVILLE, Fla. – In a quiet ceremony at a local funeral home, Clement “Nick” Nickerson, a lifelong resident of both Maine and Florida, passed away on October 15, 2026, at the age of 92. Born June 30, 1934, to Kermit and Doris Nickerson, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and colleague who spent more than three decades shaping the textbook market for Ginn & Company.
Nickerson’s journey began in Waterville, where he graduated from high school before heading to the University of Maine at Farmington. While earning a master’s degree in administration, he met Patricia “Pat” Craig, a fellow student who would become his wife in 1958. The newlyweds settled in Brunswick, Maine, where they raised a family and built a life grounded in community and hard work.
Nick’s professional life was defined by his tenure at Ginn & Company, a textbook publishing and distribution firm. Over 33 years, he rose through the ranks in textbook sales, helping to bring educational resources to classrooms across the nation. His retirement brought a newfound freedom that he filled with his favorite pastime: golf. The game became a constant thread weaving through the later chapters of his life.
Following Pat’s death in 1996, Nick shifted his seasonal routine. He spent winter months at Silverthorn, a golf community in Brooksville, Florida, and returned to Brunswick each summer. It was in Florida that he met Lorraine Phoenix. The two shared a passion for golf and a love of the outdoors, spending countless rounds on the Silverthorn courses before splitting their time between Florida and Maine. Lorraine remained his companion until her own passing in 2014.
In 2016, Nick found companionship once more with Alice Vanoyen. The couple enjoyed many happy years together, traveling, exploring new places, and maintaining the active lifestyle that Nick had cherished since his youth. Their friendship lasted until his final days.
Nickerson is survived by his two children, Kimberly Nickerson and Craig Nickerson. Craig’s wife, Kathi, and Sarah (Nickerson) Newbury, who is married to Mike, also share in the loss. He leaves behind an extended family of grandchildren, great‑grandchildren, friends, and colleagues who remember him as a man of integrity, generosity, and enthusiasm for the game of golf.
“Nick was a steady presence in our lives,” said a close friend. “His commitment to his family and his friends, and his love of the game, made him a beloved figure in both Maine and Florida.”
Maine News Now wishes to honor the memory of Clement “Nick” Nickerson, a man whose life bridged two states, a career, and a passion that inspired those around him. His legacy of dedication, fellowship, and the pursuit of happiness will endure in the hearts of all who knew him.
