by Winston Chua

He may not be working there anymore, but Virgil Nichols’s heart has always been in Lacy Park. He spent 41 years caring for the Park and the City of San Marino.

To acknowledge his service (from 1959 - 2000), city representatives, members of the San Marino Fire and Public Works Departments, friends and family Wednesday morning yelled out “Surprise!” to Virgil, who realized at that moment that his family had something very special for him in store.

“He’s one of my favorite people,” said a tearful Peggy (Nichols) Brickert, his daughter. “I wanted to give him something lasting.” She gathered various members of the city for the special tribute to the man who served in the San Marino Public Works and Parks and Recreation Departments.

The dedication had been planned weeks in advance and was executed to perfection.

“Virgil knew the park, inside and out. He had knowledge of the field, office and administration, was well-liked and respected,” said Public Works Manager Chuck Richey.

Nichols is the youngest of 10 children and was born in Iowa. Before working full-time in San Marino, he was married to Esther Nichols in Climax, Colorado in 1957.

Virgil was introduced to Esther after and introduction from his older brother Russell, who happened to be married to Esther’s sister. Virgil also served in the military in Alabama for three years.

Virgil and Esther came to California for better work opportunities and had planned to move back to their home of Iowa but chose to stay. They were a part of Temple City Baptist Church and raised their kids, Peggy and Philip, in San Gabriel.

Through the years, Virgil has been a part of numerous park-related activities, like the 4th of July celebrations (where he was once grand marshal), pancake breakfasts and occasional celebrity sightings, like Jaclyn Smith, Bill Cosby and Rodney Dangerfield.

The bench is just a few feet away from the tree that was dedicated to Virgil in 2000 by the City of San Marino. Virgil truly wove the Park into the fabric of San Marino life.

Larry Shirk said, “Virgil is the salt of the Earth, he would give the shirt off his back for you.”