Clifford N. "Cliff" Nickerson, 74, of Brocton died unexpectedly Friday afternoon, November 17, 2017 at South Buffalo Mercy Hospital. He was born in Jamestown on May 16, 1943, son of the late Herschel and Mae (Rice) Nickerson.
Cliff started Nickerson Atlantic in Dunkirk in 1965 and later moved to Fredonia until settling in Brocton with his own business in 1982 as Nickerson's Used Cars until his retirement in 1998, when he turned the business over to his son John.
An avid demolition derby driver for many years, Cliff was the Chautauqua County Demolition Derby Champion in 1976 and was Best of Show and runner-up multiple times, and passed his passion on to his children and grandchildren.
Cliff was an avid hunter and fisherman who enjoyed camping and wintering in Florida. He loved to spend time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Surviving is his wife of 54 years, Marcia (Miga) Nickerson, whom he married August 24, 1963; his canine love, Sandy; daughters, Shelly (David) Vandermast of Angola and Kathryn (Howard) Lawrence of Napanuch, NY; sons, John P. (Dawn) Nickerson, Sr. and Clifford (Christine) Nickerson, Jr., of both of Brocton; grandchildren, Gregory (Hilary) Snyder, Nicole Nickerson, Clifford Nickerson III, John P. Nickerson, Jr., Mark Nickerson, Lisa Lawrence, Howard Lawrence, Jr., Jason Lawrence and Amanda (Nathan) Rogers; great-grandchildren, Aubery, Mathew and Jenna Snyder; along with many nieces and nephews. Preceded in death, in addition to his parents, are a son Mark A. Nickerson, who died in 1966; sisters, Laura Pattyson and Nancy Snyder; and brothers, Louis Nickerson and David Nickerson.
Relatives and friends are welcome to call Monday, November 20 at the R. Mackowiak Funeral Home Inc., 56 East Doughty Street in Dunkirk, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., where Christian Burial Services will be held Tuesday, November 21 at 10 a.m. Interment will follow in Portland Evergreen Cemetery.
Obituary from the Observer
