are normally supported only through property taxes. He also led the effort to extend domestic benefits to same-sex couples who worked for the city. After retiring as mayor in 1995, Nichols remained active in local and Cornell affairs. He worked for the Cornell Institute for African Development and was cited for protesting the construction of a parking lot over an area of Redbud trees. Nichols was married to Ethel Baron, who died in 1991. In 1995 he married Judith Van Allen, who survived him. He was also survived by his two children, Mary and Jeff, five grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. His daughter Mary D. Nichols became the head of the California Air Resources Board. See also List of Democratic Socialists of America who have held office in the United States References External links Listing at Cornell U. 1920 births 2007 deaths 20th-century American politicians American computer scientists American electrical engineers Cornell University alumni Cornell University faculty Mayors of Ithaca, New York Members of the Democratic Socialists of America People from Staten Island Scientists from New York (state)