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A funeral Mass was celebrated on Sept. 1 at the Campion Center in Weston for Rev. Francis J. Nicholson, SJ, a retired professor at Boston College Law School who also served as rector of the Boston College Jesuit Community and a member of the University’s Board of Trustees. Fr. Nicholson died on Aug. 26 at the age of 90.
A native of Medford and a 1942 graduate of Boston College, Fr. Nicholson earned degrees from Georgetown and Harvard law schools and was ordained a priest in 1953. As a member of the BC Law faculty from 1958 through 1999, he taught courses in international law, conflicts of law and jurisprudence.
In addition to his service as rector of the BC Jesuit Community from 1971 through 1978, and later as assistant rector, during the 1960s he was a dormitory prefect in BC's Upper Campus residence halls.
While fulfilling his roles as teacher, administrator and mentor, Fr. Nicholson found time to say the daily 6 a.m. Mass at St. Mary's Chapel for 25 years — from 1958 through 1993.
In tribute to his service to the University, and BC Law in particular, the Rev. Francis J. Nicholson, SJ, Award was established, honoring a volunteer whose dedication to the advancement of legal education at BC Law “reflects the loyalty and constancy of Fr. Nicholson.”
He is survived by his sister Rosemary and brother John.