Georgia L Nichols ,Esquire

August 21, 1936 - December 27, 2017

Georgia L. Nichols passed away peacefully at home on December 27, 2017 at the age of 81. She was the wife of the late Lt. Col. Spencer L. Nichols. They shared 37 years of marriage together until Spencer’s death on September 7, 1997. Georgia never remarried. Born Georgia Anne Leary in New Haven, CT., she was the daughter of William T. Leary and Irma MacDonald Leary. Georgia was a remarkable, strong and independent woman, who held strong beliefs but was respectful and welcoming to all, regardless of their affiliations and background. She was proud of her Irish-Scottish heritage and embraced her ever expanding Italian, Turkish and French in-law family. She was a loving daughter, wife, mother and grandmother, devoted to her family, friends and many pets, including the Airedales MacDougal, MacDuff and Argo. Georgia was survived by her children William and Robert and her grandchildren Josh, Jack and Spencer and Aidan and Dilan. She is also survived by her cousins Patricia and Adrienne MacDonald, Kathleen Metcalf and Gail Piccola. Georgia was raised in Connecticut and Vermont. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Rider University, New Jersey. In 1960, she married a young officer in the US Air Force and proceeded to raise Bill and Bob with the help of their Airedale MacDougal while Spencer fought in Vietnam. Georgia, a lifelong equestrian, became an accomplished race horse trainer and jockey at the Helis Stock Farm in Jobstown, NJ. After Spencer retired, her family moved to Bethany, CT. where she joined the Gaelic Highland Pipe Band playing the bagpipes. Georgia then started work at O.F. Mossberg & Sons in North Haven, CT as a corporate secretary and then Director of Personnel. She concurrently attended the Quinnipiac School of Law and obtained her law degree. Georgia rose through the corporate ranks from secretary to Director of Personnel and then founded a legal department before becoming Vice President and General Counsel of Mossberg Corporation and its subsidiaries. Georgia was active in the firearms industry and highly respected. She was a Board Member of the CCRKBA, Treasurer and Member ofBoard of Directors - American Firearms Council Inc., Member of the Product Liability Client Advisory Board - ALFA International, Board Member - Sporting Activities Insurance Limited, Member - Sports Litigators of the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association. She was an extraordinary public speaker and passionate supporter for individual rights, traveling across the US and abroad addressing world leaders including President Bill Clinton. Georgia completed her legal career in Harrisburg PA at Charles Daly KBI Inc. as the in house General Counsel. Georgia also provided pro bono legal representation for veterans in need. Georgia will be interred next to her beloved husband in the State Veterans Cemetery by her family. She will be dearly missed by her family and many friends. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made as a tribute in her name (Georgia Nichols) to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation at pulmonaryfibrosis.org Arrangements are with Sisk Brothers Funeral Home, 3105 Whitney Ave., Hamden. www.siskbrothers.com