Michael Nicholas (T 75)

Michael Nicolas joined the Talbot in 1970 as top scholar. In fact, the scholarship was worth more the following year so he elected to retake it the next year, and won it again. No surprise then that he gained six top grade A Levels and won a postmastership to Merton to read either Maths or Physics. Not just an academic at school, he was a member of the Cross-Country and Swimming teams and the 1st XV. 

At Oxford, he threw himself into the whirl of social opportunities offered, not least best of three alcoholic chess, and he was a generous host, inspired by the legendary Merton chefs. He rowed for his college and won a half blue for Judo. With an intrepid and adventurous spirit, university holidays were spent inter-railing to far-flung remote corners of Europe. Always in play a timely helicopter airlift sorted out sudden appendicitis when once halfway up a mountain.  

While working towards his D.Phil, through the church they both attended, he met Cornelia who was to become his soulmate, companion, mother of his children and love of his life. They married two years later in the Merton chapel, after which the Merton chefs came into their own.  Michael accepted his first job with the AWRE at Harwell, and worked on projects involving national security. 

The family soon grew but at this time he suffered the first episode of subsequently diagnosed MS which was to tragically impact his life. The family moved down to Hove but Michael suffered multiple MS attacks over the next few years and had to learn to speak again after one such. These lows were compensated by his innate determination to get the most out of his restricted life and a highlight was a family holiday in Florida where his wheelchair saved any queuing at Disneyland. 

As his condition deteriorated, the toll on his marriage led to a separation. Michael moved into a small flat and contracted himself out as a computer consultant. He remained resolute, using trains and taxis and a trusty walking stick to visit friends and family. An electric buggy got him to church and back but with increasingly little vision he became a terror on the pavements. He remained best friends with Cornelia and eventually she moved back in with him; they depended on each other for companionship and health support. 

Impossibly sadly, Cornelia passed away and Michael’s health deteriorated further, leading to a move to a care home for his last six years, the youngest resident by far, where he was lovingly cared for by a wonderful staff. 

Michael was an amazing dad, doing all the dad things despite the ever-increasing limitations of MS and it was his iron will which enabled him to build, cherish and lovingly support the family that he and Cornelia brought up and adored, and the love of his children knew no bounds. 

Courtesy of David Nicholas (T 77)