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Log inTribal elder, WWII veteran dies at age 83
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Tribal elder, WWII veteran dies at age 83
by Outspoken on Fri Jul 04, 2008 9:19 am
Tribal elder, WWII veteran dies at age 83
By Eric Russell
Staff Writer Bangor Daily News
PLEASANT POINT, Maine — Joseph "Cozy" Nicholas, a Passamaquoddy tribal elder, historian and World War II veteran who represented his people for many years in the Legislature, died Thursday in Pleasant Point after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 83.
Nicholas was a longtime barber, first in Bangor and later in Eastport. He lived his entire life in Maine, aside from his deployment overseas in the 1940s on a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, and was well known and respected throughout the Passamaquoddy community for his commitment to preserving American Indian culture.
"He was really an icon of cultural renewal and a living example of a person who did things instead of said things," said Wayne Newell, a tribal member and University of Maine trustee who knew Nicholas for many years. "He believed that you need to carry pride in who you are wherever you go. He was committed to that not just in cultural events, but in his own life."
The Passamaquoddys, both at Pleasant Point and Indian Township in Washington County, are among four local Algonquin Nation tribes along with the Houlton Band of Maliseets, the Aroostook Band of Micmac and the Penobscot Nation on Indian Island.
Nicholas was perennially involved in planning the Passamaquoddy Tribe’s annual Indian Day Celebration and recently he worked unsuccessfully to secure a racino for Washington County as a means for economic development in the poor region.
"Joe possessed a great and genuine warmth, a legendary sense of humor and quick wit and a keen intellect," said Sen. Kevin Raye, R-Washington County. "His passion for instilling pride in the heritage and culture of the Passamaquoddy Tribe and preserving its native language will continue to touch lives for generations to come."
http://bangornews.com/news/t/news.aspx?articleid=166686&zoneid=500
Joseph 'Cozy' Nicholas
By Eric Russell
Staff Writer Bangor Daily News
PLEASANT POINT, Maine — Joseph "Cozy" Nicholas, a Passamaquoddy tribal elder, historian and World War II veteran who represented his people for many years in the Legislature, died Thursday in Pleasant Point after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 83.
Nicholas was a longtime barber, first in Bangor and later in Eastport. He lived his entire life in Maine, aside from his deployment overseas in the 1940s on a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, and was well known and respected throughout the Passamaquoddy community for his commitment to preserving American Indian culture.
"He was really an icon of cultural renewal and a living example of a person who did things instead of said things," said Wayne Newell, a tribal member and University of Maine trustee who knew Nicholas for many years. "He believed that you need to carry pride in who you are wherever you go. He was committed to that not just in cultural events, but in his own life."
The Passamaquoddys, both at Pleasant Point and Indian Township in Washington County, are among four local Algonquin Nation tribes along with the Houlton Band of Maliseets, the Aroostook Band of Micmac and the Penobscot Nation on Indian Island.
Nicholas was perennially involved in planning the Passamaquoddy Tribe’s annual Indian Day Celebration and recently he worked unsuccessfully to secure a racino for Washington County as a means for economic development in the poor region.
"Joe possessed a great and genuine warmth, a legendary sense of humor and quick wit and a keen intellect," said Sen. Kevin Raye, R-Washington County. "His passion for instilling pride in the heritage and culture of the Passamaquoddy Tribe and preserving its native language will continue to touch lives for generations to come."
http://bangornews.com/news/t/news.aspx?articleid=166686&zoneid=500
Joseph 'Cozy' Nicholas
"Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything."
Plato (427-347 BC)
Plato (427-347 BC)
