One day late in 1980 the Board Chairman
called me in and said that if I would stay
five more years I would be Executive
Vice President. I believe that if I had
taken the job with its responsibilities
and stress, I would not be living now.

Jean and I discussed it that night
and the next day we both gave our
90 day notice.

Bill Nickel-3

More Retirement pics

Back to Nickel Family Tree

Bill Nickel's transition into retirement was a sudden move that worked because it had been carefully planned for years.

August 9, 1972       Purchase land      
                             South Thomaston, Maine
 
August, 1976         Start building
 
1976 - 1980           Working summer vacations

February, 1981       Jean & Bill retire
                             Drive U-Hauls to Maine

    

Bill Nickel may have retired from Kodak, but he definitely did not retire from working on behalf of the place he lived.  

One of the first recipients of his volunteer help was a world class museum of old-time cars and planes hidden away in quaint little Owl's Head, Maine.  It was his kind of place.

Another amazing gem in the area is the Farnsworth Museum especially noted for its Wyeth Center. Bill volunteered there and at the Rockland Library, where Jean became very active as well.

They loved everything about it. They loved finishing the house. They loved South Thomaston.  They made friends.  They got involved in volunteer activity.

Bill bought tools like the riding mower to take care of the big lot their new house was on.  He bought toys too, like the motor boat which made some good memories for a young grandson in the front seat.

And he worked constantly improving their house and the property, building a garage, setting up big gardens and putting in the time.  

Mid-Coast Maine was a great choice. It is growing slowly but steadily, driven in part by retirees. The winters can be tough but the weather is still more temperate than the ultra-snowy upstate New York climate they were used to. They tried Florida. They tried Arizona. Maine always won.

One of the great rewards for a career of loyal work  is a retirement with some World Travel.  

Bill and Jean were some of the lucky ones because they made it with the health, the resources, and the interest and inclination still intact.  They traveled to  places in Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, and the USA.  Their world travel page is here.

In August, 1997, Bill and Jean celebrated their 50th Anniversary at a small event full of family, love and good feelings.

They had enjoyed over fifteen years of an active and thoroughly-enjoyed retirement.

By 1998, they had decided that their South Thomaston house and property was more than they wanted to take care of.  

It had served them well, but it was time to take the next step in the progression -- sell it and buy a small cottage-style home in a retirement community nearby in Rockland.  

Typically, they bought the first unit in Bartlett Woods and named the street.  Stonewood Road. .

On Thanksgiving Day, 2005 Jean had a stroke.  Seven months later she died peacefully at home with Bill and Tom  at her side.

Bill has lived by himself at 39 Stonewood ever since, still getting used to Jean not being there.  She was the love of his life.

.

He is still very active in his 90s.

Going to the gym to workout -- and socialize -- early every week day.

Having a regular lunch group of other old guys like him.

Going to Rotary lunches.

Playing bridge down at the Assisted Living Facility.

And Unbelievably, still volunteering, mostly for the library. Delivering books to people who can't get around like he does.