Brian Nicolas (St. Nick) 68, of Spencer, MA passed away at UMass Memorial hospital in Worcester, MA surrounded by his loving family on Sunday January 18th, 2026. He is reunited with his wife, Maureen Nicolas, who passed in May 2022, with whom he shared 30 years of marriage.  He is survived by his daughter, Samantha Fontaine, and her husband Nick of Oxford, MA; his son, Troy Nicolas, and his wife Rosalyn of Sturbridge MA; and 4 grandchildren, Adalynn, Alice, Peyton & Aria. He is also survived by his sister, Donna Haynes and husband Ricky; sister, Maryellen Tenore and her husband Michael; and brother Stephen Nicolas and his wife Denise, along with many nieces and nephews.

Brian was born on November 27, 1957 in Framingham, MA to Walter and Louise Nicolas. He graduated from North High in 1975. After high school he took up different types of trades, heading right into the work force. He started his welding career with Lehigh Sheet Metal and Welding in Marlboro, MA in 1982, and continued to weld for multiple companies until his retirement in 2021. He also had his own snow plowing business and cleaning business for 10 years. Brian lived in Spencer, MA since 2001 with his wife, Maureen, and daughter and son. Renown as a great water skier and great hockey player, he was also a competitive rifle shooter at Marlboro Rod and Gun Club. They won the championship in 1990! He spent his free time enjoying the great outdoors, grilling and riding his motorcycle!

A funeral service will be celebrated Sunday Feb. 1st at 11:00am in the Chapel of the Matarese Funeral Home, 325 Main St. Ashland, MA.  Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00am prior to the service in the funeral home.

Family and friends are strongly urged to consider planting a tree in Brian's name in lieu of flowers at A Tree to Remember