He came to Princeton from Germantown Academy and became a member of Cannon Club. He majored in mechanical engineering and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in engineering.
Nicholas then served in the Army, where he taught the maintenance and repair of field artillery at the Ordnance School in Aberdeen, Md. Leaving the Army, Nicholas went to work for the family business, Guilbert Inc., as sales manager and then as controller, but after the company was sold, he had a succession of positions in sales engineering and sales management with manufacturers of custom-designed capital equipment.
In his retirement Nicholas volunteered with the Fort Washington Historical Society along with several other local historical organizations.
He is survived by his four children, three grandchildren, and three step-grandchildren.