July 19, 1947 – June 8, 2026

Norman Bruce Nicholls was born on July 19, 1947, in San Jose, CA, to Bruce Mitchell Nicholls and Verda Irene Nicholls. He was born on his sister Doliene’s 3rd birthday, so birthday parties in the Nicholls family were a shared celebration.
The Nicholls moved to Oakland when Norm was young, with his schooling in Oakland. Norm was an active member of his Presbyterian church youth group and a budding journalist, enjoying writing for his school paper. Norm graduated from Fremont High School in Oakland in 1965.
Norm attended San Jose State College and worked weekends during the winter as a ski instructor at Boreal Ridge. At the ski shop at Boreal his life changed forever, as he met the love of his life, Alice Wilson, who worked at the ski shop and also attended San Jose State. They only lived a block from one another in San Jose, but it was their love for the mountains that brought them together. Commuting to Boreal with friends on weekends forged a strong friendship that turned into their 60-year love story.
Norm enlisted in the US Navy and started his service in 1967. He served in Vietnam, on the USS Deliver and the USS Elkhorn. Norm was stationed in Hawaii, at the Naval Base in Pearl Harbor until December of 1971.
Norm and Alice were married in October of 1969. Alice relocated to Oahu where they welcomed their daughter Christy in January 1971. After Hawaii, the young couple moved back to California, to the Sierra Nevadas, living in Dutch Flat and Donner Lake while Norm worked at Boreal Ridge. 1973 brought some big changes as Norm started his career with Pacific Bell and the family moved to South Lake Tahoe, where son Alan joined the family in December of 1974.
In 1979 the family moved to Truckee. Norm left the phone company in 1984 and became a real estate agent. Norm enjoyed finding the perfect home for his clients and was well respected for his dedication, integrity, and his unique way of treating absolutely everyone with respect and joy.
Norm joined Truckee Optimist International in 1980. He was a very active member for over 45 years, spending countless hours volunteering. If you ever bought a Christmas tree at the Optimist Tree Lot, or attended the Cannibal Cruise, the Air Show or Brewfest, you were enjoying one of the events Norm poured his heart into each year, as the proceeds always benefit youth in Truckee. He served as president for the 2007-08 year.
He was a coach for over 20 years, including Little League, Buddy Werner Learn to Race (snow skiing), youth football, and even several years at Truckee High School for baseball and softball. Norm was a mentor and helped others to develop their strengths, whether it be athletically, sportsmanship, or gaining knowledge and self-confidence.
He enjoyed writing articles for the Sierra Sun from 2005 to 2011, His article was called “Caring About Truckee,” in which he wrote about the history of Truckee, always ending the articles with a trivia question about Truckee so readers could provide their responses.
He will forever be remembered for his booming laugh and the distinct gray mustache he had for the last 50 years of his life.
He is now free to enjoy all of his favorite things and places beyond Truckee including rooting for the Oakland A’s, visiting Disneyland, Hawaii, skiing at Snowbird and Alta, playing baseball, and bowling to his heart’s desire. He has probably even found a way to fall asleep in cloud shaped like a lazy boy!
Norm was an amazing husband, father, and grandfather. His world revolved around caring for his family and being an active participant in their lives. He attended every event, including sporting events, band concerts, plays, and everything else in which his kids and grandkids chose to participate.
Norman is survived by his beloved wife, Alice, with whom he shared 57 years of marriage; his daughter Christy; his son Alan (Alison); his grandchildren, Jackson, Jillian and Kellan; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.
His “Celebration of Life” will be August 8th, at the Truckee Community Arts Center (Old Rec. Ctr), 10046 Church St., Truckee, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. with an hour social at the beginning.
Memorial donations may be made in Norm’s memory to the Truckee Optimist Club (PO Box 1859, Truckee, CA 96160) for establishing a fund for assisting youth in sports.