Francis A. "Frank" McNichols

Frank McNichols, 81, passed away peacefully on April 10, 2026, after a very spirited and feisty battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Frank was born in Roslindale to James McNichols and Margaret Nicholson. Frank is predeceased by his parents and his brothers James and Thomas (Red). Frank loved the home in Roslindale but moved out, ready to be out and share his spirited charm with the world at age eighteen. After high school, Frank attended Northeastern University, while living in what he described in several animated stories, as a “crazy commune”. Graduating from Northeastern with a BA in 1967, Frank then went on to 2 years of active service in the Navy, and after an honorable discharge, served 3 additional years in the Naval reserve.

After the Navy, Frank joined New England Life, “much too boring”, and then on to a stint as a bartender and bar manager in Faneuil Hall, where Frank’s quick wit, expert mixology, and easy charm, became much loved by both fellow workers and patrons. Bar charm covered, Frank opened a stationary store, Basil-McNichols, in Faneuil Hall, and then second location in Philadelphia. Charming retail customers now second nature for Frank, he went on to open a dazzling sportwear with skimpy bathing suits store, Pulse Sport, in the brand new and sparkling Copley Place.

While running all of these varied endeavors, Frank was very involved and supportive of the Boston Aids Action Committee, where he devoted much of his time and energy and where he met some of his closest friends. Frank wrapped up his career in his much-loved role as event planner for East Meets West catering company. Frank told stories of his days with East Meets West, some of them somewhat true, others deliciously exaggerated, and there is no doubt he is now beguiling the angels in heaven with them.

Frank’s quick wit and fiery retorts always brought an abundance of laughter to every event he attended. A voracious reader of fiction and history, Frank had an amazing ability to retain information and knowledge, and sprinkle those truths into a good story, the story sometimes true as well.

Frank is survived by Susan McNichols, nephew James and James’ wife, Kathryn. Frank is also survived by his brother Red’s wife, Evelyn McNichols, Evelyn’s children Margaret (Maggie) and Thomas, Thomas’s wife Shannon, and their daughter and Frank’s grandniece Frances, who is called Frankie.

No one but Frank could read the New York Times while making you laugh out loud, both the first and the second time he read the story. He was the best and most highly entertaining dinner party guest and whenever invited for dinner, typically before you could get full the invite conveyed to him, he’d remark, “I’d love to!”. Frank’s (Franky’s) many escapades in P’town shall not be mentioned here, well except for that time he crashed his Peugeot ten-speed into the bushes.

Frank requested that there be no funeral and that his ashes be distributed “at high tide” in Provincetown. Family and friends plan a celebration of life for Frank in P’town in late summer.

In lieu of flowers, Frank would much prefer a contribution at https://The Parkinson's Foundation.

Frank leaves us with incredible memories of great times and companionship that we shall cherish forever. As you recall your favorite Frank stories, he’d like you to order that second (or third) glass of white wine, “Now, please”.