1933 – 2016

LEWISTON — Bernard “Mike” Nickless, 82, a resident of Livermore and formerly of North Jay, passed away on Tuesday evening, Feb. 23, at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston.

He was born July 18, 1933, in Brewer, the son of Bernard L. and Irene (Judd) Nickless. He was a 1951 graduate of Bucksport High School. He received his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering at the University of Maine at Orono and did his fifth year of study in pulp and paper. Mike later served in the U.S. Air Force. On May 7, 1954, in Chickasha, Okla., he married Dora “Dobie” Lowrance.

Mike started working for International Paper Otis Mill in Jay and transferred to IP in Corinth, N.Y., for two years. He came back to work for IP and James River Otis, after holding several supervisory positions, and retiring as assistant mill manager in 1993. He was a 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. He was a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Church in Jay, a Eucharistic minister and taught Catechism, but above all, “He was a man who lived his Faith.” He mostly loved and was so very proud of his children and grandchildren, and just found out that he was going to have his first great-grandchild.

Mike enjoyed fishing and hunting at his camp on Moosehead Lake, playing cards and cribbage, and loved to eat and cook. He enjoyed making and giving fruit cakes and many kinds of candy to his family and friends at Christmas. Mike was an avid Red Sox and Notre Dame fan and enjoyed watching March Madness. Mike loved working in his beautiful flower gardens that all of his neighbors enjoyed.

He was a devoted husband and is survived by his wife of 62 years, “Dobie; his daughters, Jackie Castonguay and her husband, Donald, of Livermore, Tommye Sims and her husband, Lynn, of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Michelle “Mikie” Stebbins and her husband, Mark, of Poland; his sister, Betty Chavaree of Orland; grandchildren, Brittney Castonguay and her fiancé, Cameron Smith, Brian Castonguay and his wife, Kate, and Rileigh and Sydney Stebbins; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his father and mother; his two brothers-in-law, Cy Simpson and Robert Chavaree.

The family would like to thank the staff of CMMC Y-3 Unit for the exceptional, loving care they provided Mike and his family during his last days.

Messages of condolence may be sent to www.finleyfuneralhome.com.