Raymond Richard Nichols, 93, died peacefully on January 29th. Dick or Ray as he was called was born and raised in New Haven and lived a large portion of his life in Hamden with his family. Dick was predeceased by his beloved wife of 66 years, Catherine Rose Nichols. Dick is survived by his four children – Barbara Nichols of Hamden, Mark Nichols of New Haven, Rosemary Nichols of Branford and Denise Nichols of Hamden. Dick is also survived by his daughter in law, Denise Botto, and his granddaughters Carmella and Katherine Nichols, all of New Haven. Dick is survived by three nephews and five nieces of the Canning and DuFresne families as well as five great nephews and four great nieces. He was predeceased by his sister Eleanor DuFresne and by his niece Ellen DuFresne. Dick was employed by the Connecticut Agricultural Experimental Station for 37 years and then by Yale University for 18 years. Dick was a veteran of both World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a founding member of Connecticut’s Chapter of Families of the Mentally Ill. Dick was a committed husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather. Family came first and he was always there for those that needed him, He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and those who lovingly cared for him the last four years of his life at the Mary Wade Home. Funeral from Sisk Brothers Funeral Home 3105 Whitney Ave. Hamden Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. Burial in All Saints Cemetery. Friends may call Friday from 4 – 8 p.m. www.siskbrothers.com