Honoring George A. Nicholson III: A Legacy of Service and Dedication to Mental Health

George A. Nicholson III, a former dedicated trustee of the Ethel and James Flinn Foundation, passed away on November 24, 2024. A lifelong resident of Grosse Pointe, he applied his sharp financial expertise — honed during his distinguished career at Arthur Andersen — to numerous volunteer leadership roles, always with a deep sense of purpose and service.

His work with Franklin Wright Settlements exposed him to the intersection of socioeconomic challenges and mental health, sparking his commitment to the Flinn Foundation. Serving as a trustee from 2010 to 2019, Nicholson remained actively engaged long after his tenure, championing its mission and initiatives.

“George was a dedicated Board member and a huge supporter of the Flinn Foundation’s work, so much so that he followed our work long after he retired from the Board,” says Andrea Cole, President and CEO of the Flinn Foundation. “He always joined us for our December Board meetings for lunch and really stayed close to our work. He was just a joy.”

Nicholson was especially moved when the Flinn Foundation announced the inaugural Leonard W. Smith Mental Health Hero Awards in honor of his longtime friend and mentor. “He couldn’t have applauded any more loudly,” recalls his wife of 64 years, Nancy Nicholson. “He was so excited and was not going to miss that award announcement for anything in the world.”

A meticulous and devoted trustee, Nicholson often kept thick packets of documents covered in sticky notes, ensuring he stayed informed about the Foundation’s evolving strategic priorities. “I was amazed at how rapidly he became so loyal to its purpose,” Nancy says. Even during his final hospitalization, he insisted he would be well enough to attend the December Flinn Foundation Board meeting.

For the past decade, Nancy personally drove him to those December meetings, witnessing firsthand the camaraderie he shared with fellow trustees. “From an adjacent room, I could hear the laughter and the cackling among good friends, having a good time while they served. It was the resetting of friendship for the sake of a very sound program. If you are nourished when you sit in a meeting, it’s a pretty good indication of how much the work means to you.”

Though his journey with congestive heart failure was long, Nicholson remained optimistic, fully expecting to return to “business as usual.” Reaching the milestone of 90 years brought him immense joy.

Recognizing his thoughtful and steadfast contributions, Cole reflects, “We will miss George.”