John J. Nickles John J. Nickles passed peacefully at Peconic Bay Medical Center on Jan. 12, 2021 from complications of COPD. He was 82 years old. John was born in Brooklyn on Dec. 6, 1938, to Grace Rogers Nickles (née Beutelstetter) and Gottlieb J. Nickles. Most knew his mother as Grace R. Lewis during John’s professional life. John graduated from The Hill School for boys in Pottstown, Pa., and then attended St. Lawrence University. He then went to work in New York City for CBS. He eventually returned to Southold and began a long career as a real estate broker with his family business, Lewis & Nickles, Ltd. Real Estate. He was well regarded in his career and likely walked, sold or appraised most of Southold’s properties at one time or another.