Michael John Nichol JR

Master Chief Petty Officer, Saturation Master Diver, 30-year US Navy Retired, Michael J. Nichol, JR, passed away on Wednesday, November 16, 2022. Mr. Nichol’s last 20 years were served at Submarine Development Group One, located at Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, CA. The project they were working on was super-secret, entitled “Operation Ivy Bells.” This was during the 1970’s and 1980’s. There were two Russian military bases at the points of two peninsulas. It was postulated these bases had underwater telephone communications between them. Since we, as a nation, were concerned about the intentions of Russia as regards Nuclear Weapons, we figured if we recorded the phone calls between the two bases, we could determine how much our country was or was not at risk. As a method of discovering where the phone lines were located, a Pentagon individual said, “look on the banks near the waters and see if they have posted a sign, like we do, that says, “Don’t drag any anchors, danger, phone lines.” Turns out this was totally true. To complete this project, they would need submarines and saturation divers. Our old submarines scheduled for demolition were used. These were the best choice since the Russians were not watching them anymore. They were cut in half at the Shipyard and a 100-foot section added to protect the life and safety of the saturation divers who would be delivering and setting up the recorder. As the time passed, these subs would pass each other traveling back and forth with the vital data. I believe this data saved us from a World War. Mike’s dedication to excellence provided vital input to the design of the divers’ life support system and he served as a member of the team during missions. They lasted about 5 months. The sub remained submerged the whole time. Mr. Nichol received three (3) Legion of Merits, a Meritorious Service Medal, and four (4) Navy Unit Commendations during this time. For fun, he and his wife indulged in many years of Square Dancing and recreational diving. He taught many individuals to scuba dive and took them on Scuba Diving Vacations throughout the world. Mike was preceded in death by his mother, Marjorie Porter Baker, and his father, Michael John Nichol. Mike is survived by his wife Janet “Bobbi” Redman Nichol; son & daughter-in-law, Patrick John & Lori Anne Nichol; daughter & son-in-law, Amber Jean & Eric Olson; grandsons, Daniel J. Koelling, Zachery A. Sandvik, and Jacob Nichol;granddaughters, Alana Brianne Angella and Chloe Evangeline Nichol; sister, Kathy Nichol Rawlings; brothers, Donald (Joy) Nichol, Richard Nichol, Jackie (Lisa) Evans and Bobby Baker. Funeral services will be held at 12:30PM on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South with Rabbi Wayne Leland and Chaplain Trudy Dunn officiating. Burial will follow in Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola, Florida with Full Military Honors. The family will receive friends at 11:30AM prior to services. Pallbearers will be Patrick J. Nichol, Jacob Nichol, David Enfinger, Joe Klinge, Ted Ross and Tom Rossi. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Furry Friends of the Panhandle Rescue, one of Mike's favorite charities. You can make a tax deductible donation directly through PayPal at https://www.paypal.me/MICHELEMCCLOSKEY, or you can send a check directly to them at 1304 Garden St, Pensacola, FL 32502, or you can give me the check at the funeral and I will deliver them personally. Thank you in advance. Faith Chapel Funeral Home South, 100 Beverly Pkwy, entrusted with arrangements. You may express your condolences online at www.fcfhs.com.

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Michael John Nichol JR

January 7, 1947 - November 16, 2022