Fr. David Gene Nichols

Fr. David Gene Nichols, SSPX, died at the SSPX’s Sursum Corda House for retired priests in Phoenix, Arizona, after a long illness. He was 69.

Father was the third child born to Earl and Florence Nichols, born five minutes before his twin, Br. Gerard Francis, SSPX (Dean Nichols, RIP 2017), while the family lived in New Jersey. After some months in Long Island, the family settled in upstate New York. Father and Brother attended South Glens Falls (Senior) High, graduating with honors in 1976. Father worked various jobs, including some years as an insurance salesman. Meanwhile, the older half of the family, and his mother, began attending the Traditional Latin Mass at an independent chapel near Albany, NY. There Father taught catechism and Church history after Sunday Mass. By Christmas, 1982, the whole family was attending the new SSPX North American Martyrs Chapel in Hudson Falls, NY. During 1984, Father applied and was accepted to enter St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary in Ridgefield, CT.

In June 1992, Father was ordained to the Sacred Priesthood by Msgr. Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, SSPX, at the recently acquired seminary in Winona, MN. Father’s first assignment was to northern England, where he served as a parish assistant for several years. He then was assigned to various posts in Minnesota and Florida, with many years in Arcadia and Colton, California. Father was transferred, together with Br. Gerard, to Ireland in 2008. Father returned to the US in 2010. His last assignment was to St. Aloysius Gonzaga Retreat Center in Los Gatos, California. He retired to Sursum Corda House in 2024.

Father Nichols gave himself entirely to his vocation, striving to serve Our Lord and Lady by saving souls with devotion and self-deprecating humor. He made his own the self-sacrifice of Br. Gerard’s “Deo Gratias,” submitting his will to the promptings of Divine Providence as shown by the will of his superiors.

Father is predeceased by his parents, Earl and Florence Nichols, by his twin Br. Gerard Francis, SSPX, by his sister-in-law Patricia Gail (Bullard) Nichols, by his grand-niece Aurora Marie, and his grand-nephew Jayson William Martinez. He is survived by his siblings: Wayne Nichols of St. Marys, KS; Steven Nichols of Cambridge, NY; Jeffrey Nichols of Cambridge, NY; Thomas Nichols of Wilton, NY; Jane Nichols-Wood of Cambridge, NY; James Nichols of Ballston Spa, NY; and Joan Finnegan of Curryville, MO—together with their spouses, and several nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank Mrs. Jamie McQuillin and the staff of Sursum Corda House for their angelic dedication and respect in caring for Father throughout the last chapter of his life. The family also thanks the Consoling Sisters for their kindness during Father’s final days.

Father Nichols desired to be buried in St. Marys, from the Immaculata Church, in Our Lady of Peace Cemetery. The faithful who wish to honor Father’s memory may contribute to the Immaculata, to the SSPX St. Luke's Fund for Sick and Aging Priests by clicking this LINK or to Sursum Corda House in Phoenix, Arizona.

A rosary for Father will be recited at 5:20 PM on Monday, August 17th at The Immaculata. A High Requiem Funeral Mass will be offered on Tuesday, August 18 at 11:00 AM, with interment following in Our Lady of Peace Cemetery. A potluck reception will follow in St. Joseph's Parish Hall.