Stephen M. Nichols, 63, of Fall River, was called home on Friday, December 15th, 2017, after a long and valiant battle with heart disease.  He passed into eternal peace with his sister Sue by his side.

Steve was an extremely talented artist, excelling in sketch, illustration, and oil painting.  He also was a very talented writer; penning both poetry, and fiction.  Since boyhood, he was fascinated by the stars and the night sky; often drawing constellations as doodles.  He loved skyscrapers, trivia, movies, and books.  Steve also had a beautiful singing voice, and enjoyed singing karaoke in his healthier days.  As a former thespian, he was very proud of his sister's accomplishments with her theater company, and often gave her invaluable advice and guidance throughout the years.

A 1972 Dartmouth High School graduate, he later attended SMU, but decided that Boston was where his spirit was happiest.  Steve spent thirty years living life his way in Boston, surrounded by the people he best related with.  While there, he made and lost many dear friends due to the Aids epidemic, but he leaves his two closest Boston friends.  In his later years, he returned to the South Coast where he settled into a quiet and peaceful life in Fall River; spending his time working on his family tree, and writing his novel, "The Nightstalker."

Steve was a kind and gentle soul.  He never held malice in his heart, and he cared deeply about his causes, his family, and his friends.  He was a passionate Democrat, and a passionate crusader for LGBTQ equality.

Born in New Bedford, MA, he was the son of the late Leonard and Eileen (Bizarro) Nichols.  Survivors include his "Mom Number Two" Maria C. (Sousa) Nichols, of Swansea; sisters, Susan Nichols-Nedar of Swansea and Karen Nichols of Dartmouth; a niece, Chelsea; nephews Jared, Sean, and Tylor; great nephews Anthony and Lyrik, his only remaining aunt, Betty Vieira, and many, many cousins.  He also leaves his two closest friends, Bill Conrad, and Paul Vignoli.

Per his wish, he was cremated. A memorial service was held on Thursday, December 21st at 2:00pm in the First Christian Congregational Church "The Olde White Church" in Swansea.