Edward Gerald Nicholson - 85

4/30/1931 - 3/12/2017

Flossmoor

Dr. Edward Gerald Nicholson Jr., a longtime resident of Flossmoor, Illinois succumbed to illness on Sunday March 12, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois/Lincoln Park while in the midst of long term care which followed an acute illness. Dr. Nicholson was born on May 1, 1931 in East St. Louis, Illinois to Edward Nicholson Sr. and Sadie (nee Lagrone) Nicholson. He attended Lincoln High School of East St. Louis, subsequently entered college at Xavier University in New Orleans, Louisiana where he met the love of his life Aurelia (nee Gardner). He completed a degree in pharmacy. Ed and Aurelia were married on November 12, 1955 in Aurelia’s home town of New Iberia, Louisiana after he served in the United States Army. They lived, loved and enjoyed each other’s company for 61 years. Ed, known as “Nick” to many was a pioneer in the profession of Pharmacy by being the first African American head of pharmacy at St. Francis Hospital in Blue Island, Illinois. At the age of 42, he returned to the classroom to study medicine and graduated from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1977. Dr. Nicholson practiced family medicine which included obstetrics in the Chicago area and its southern suburbs for over 35 years. He was a clinical professor at Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine now Midwestern University School of Medicine of Downers Grove, Illinois. He was only semi-retired at the time of his illness. Ed was preceded in death by his father Edward Sr., his mother Sadie, his sister Mary Love Nicholson and his brothers Fred Nicholson, Dave Mosely and Melvin Nicholson. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Aurelia and by his children Dr. Vanessa Nicholson Norris (John) of Seattle, Washington, Daniel Nicholson of Fullerton, California and Janice Nicholson of Chicago. He was a loyal brother to Sadie (nee Nicholson) Generally of Union, Missouri. He was a beloved grandfather to Danae Alyse Nicholson of Las Vegas, Nevada. He was a dear uncle to several nieces and nephews who include Bruce (Danyale) Nicholson, Leah (nee Nicholson) Brown, Kevin Generally, Ronnie Nicholson and to a host of great nieces and nephews who include Brandon Nicholson and Bruce Nicholson, Jr. Dr. Nicholson touched the lives of thousands in the Chicago metropolitan area through his thoughtful and compassionate practice and teaching medicine. He was a quintessential sports enthusiast and an avid fan of the Chicago Bulls, Chicago White Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals. He is loved by many and will be missed each day forward. Resting at Panozzo Bros. Funeral Home, 530 W. 14th St. (U.S. Rt. 30, 4 blks E. of Western Ave.), Chicago Heights on Friday March 17th from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Funeral Saturday, chapel prayers 10:15 AM to Infant Jesus of Prague Church, 1131 Douglas Ave., Flossmoor. Mass 11:00 AM. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Worth. 708-481-9230 or panozzobros.com