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Eric Hampton Nickerson

Jul 9, 2020

Eric Hampton Nickerson passed away peacefully in his home on June 10, 2020, at the age of 73 after fighting a courageous battle with cancer. Eric was a 14-year resident of Milford, NH and a 28-year resident of Amherst, NH. He was born on May 13, 1947 in Greenwich, CT to Robert Edward Nickerson and Mary Jane Caldwell Nickerson. Eric predeceases his mother, a resident of Candler, NC. Eric is survived by his wife, Marie Labrie Nickerson; his children, Lisa Nickerson and her former husband, Mark McGonagle and their three children, and her partner Robert Cramer of Wayland, MA; Robert Eric Nickerson and his wife Lori Nickerson and their three children of Hopkinton, MA; his former wife and mother of Lisa and Rob, Jane Vance Nickerson of Natick, MA; step-son Nathan Neveu and his wife Jennifer Kilday Neveu and their two children of Nashua, NH; his sister Jan Nickerson and husband John Graham of Candler, NC; his sister-in-law, Arlene Benedict Nickerson of Stamford, CT; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Eric was predeceased by his father, and his brother, Robert Tek Nickerson.

Eric grew up in Old Greenwich, CT and attended Holderness School in Holderness, NH, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA where he received his BS in Mechanical Engineering and Control Theory. He was also a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, commonly known as Fiji. Eric later graduated from the University of Rhode Island – College of Business with his MBA. Eric maintained many close friends from his fraternity and recently attended the 50th reunion in Newport, RI.

In 1978, Eric and his family moved to NH when he joined Teradyne Connection Systems in Nashua, NH where he worked for 27 years before leaving his role as the Global Account Manager for Contract Manufacturing. After leaving Teradyne, Eric worked with Harting, and Navico. Eric also enjoyed his time counseling small businesses as a Certified Mentor for SCORE, and his work as a UNH Marine Docent.

Eric was passionate about the outdoors and spent most weekends hot air ballooning. His beautiful, multi-colored balloon was often seen in the early morning skies of southern NH. An avid sailor, Eric found ballooning “the closest thing to sailing”. When Eric was on the water, you would find him on the Windjammer Angelique, his favorite sailboat for cruising the coast of New England. He also loved that his wife, Marie, was the Steward of Celia Thaxter’s Garden on Appledore Island, Isles of Shoals. Appledore is home to the Shoals Marine Laboratory which is operated jointly by Cornell University and UNH. Eric felt at home on the island and often volunteered for various projects.

Always ready for an adventure, Eric traveled far and wide with his friends and family. From Antarctica to New Zealand, to weeks-long sailing trips with his cousins, and, hot-air balloon rallies across the country. Whether it was skydiving or bungee jumping, he was always on a mission to experience something unique and special.

Eric’s final flight reunites him with family and friends where he will certainly continue socializing, and figuring out how to fix something or make it better. His grandfather, Orestes H. Caldwell, who notably coined the word “electronics” was a passionate fan of electronic gadgets, one of the first five members of the U. S. Federal Radio Commission, a pioneer in commercial radio, and a significant influence in Eric’s fascination with technology.

The family will host a private service when the opportunity for travel permits.

Gifts in Mr. Nickerson’s memory can be made to the Shoals Marine Laboratory, as a memorial gift to Worcester Polytechnic Institute, or in support of Dr. Adam Bass’ Research Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Arrangements are being handled by Michaud Funeral Home & Crematorium in Wilton, NH.