James Laurance "Nick" Nicholson Jr., 72

CHESTERTOWN, Md. - James Laurance "Nick" Nicholson Jr. of Chestertown died Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007, in the Chester River Hospital Center, Chestertown. He was 72.

Mr. Nicholson was born in Chestertown, son of the late James Laurance and Claire (Parsons) Nicholson.

Mr. Nicholson was a graduate of Chestertown High School and attended Goldey Beacom School of Business.

He was involved in J.L. Nicholson & Son Trucking Inc., his family business for 50 years, beginning with his father and running the business with his son.

Mr. Nicholson enjoyed boating and was a member of the Chestertown Cruise Club.

In and around 1952, he was one of the founding members of the Kent County Go-Cart Club, and created what is now known as the Nicholson Speedway.

Mr. Nicholson loved to travel; Hawaii was one of his favorite destinations.

He enjoyed reading and history, especially World War II, and was an avid collector of Player pianos.

Mr. Nicholson was a member of the Chester Masonic Lodge 115, A.F. & A.M, as well as a member of the Chestertown Elks Lodge 2409.

He is survived by his wife, Carole LaPorte Nicholson; two sons, Larry Nicholson of Lynch and David Nicholson of Lake Arrowhead, Calif.; one sister, Mary Anna Welch of Chestertown; and seven grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Old St. Paul"s Kent Episcopal Church, Chestertown.

Friends and family may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today in the Fellows Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, 130 Speer Road, Chestertown.

Interment will be in the adjoining churchyard cemetery.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests contributions in his memory to the Kent & Queen Anne"s Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 126, Chestertown, MD 21620; or the Humane Society of Kent County Inc., P.O. Box 352, Chestertown, MD 21620.