Irwin E. Nichols, 79, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, October 12, 2015. He was born and raised in Upton, son of the late George and Grace E. (Austin) Nichols.

Irwin graduated from Grafton High School and worked for 43 years at Washington Mills in North Grafton, retiring as a Production Coordinator and Quality Control Manager. He was a lifelong member of the Oak Hill Bible Church in Oxford and its predecessor, Worcester Advent Christian Church. There he served as a deacon, chairman of the Finance Committee, a member of the choir and was known as the “Sunday School bell ringer” each week.

Irwin leaves his beloved wife of 53 years, Sandra (Carvell) Nichols; his two children, Tracy Nichols Potter of Worcester and Ross S. Nichols and his wife, Dawn of Charlton; his two sisters, Phyllis M. Nichols of Worcester and June Rybicki of Arcadia, CA; and his three grandchildren, Matthew Potter and his wife, Melanie, Jennifer Potter and Lauren Potter.

Relatives and friends are invited to a memorial service honoring and celebrating Irwin’s life on Friday, October 16, at 11 a.m. at Oak Hill Bible Church, 40 Sacarrappa Road, Oxford. Entombment in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton will be private. There are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Scholarship Fund, Oak Hill Bible Church, PO Box 277, Oxford, MA 01540. Arrangements are under the care of the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden.