Dr. Eugene Blake Nichols was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1962 and was educated in the Boston Public Schools until his family moved to Dedham. He graduated with honors from Dedham High School in 1980 and continued his education at Boston University where he graduated Cum Laude in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Biology and minoring in Religion. At Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, he earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree in 1988 and was honored with membership in Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the National Dental Honor Society. After completing a residency program in Advanced Restorative Dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania, he returned to his native Massachusetts and began his career in private practice. He currently maintains a General and Family Dental Practice in Foxboro and is a member of the Massachusetts Dental Society and the American Dental Association.
Brother Nichols began his Masonic career through the Order of DeMolay where he served as Master Councilor of Dedham Chapter and later went on to serve Massachusetts DeMolay as Deputy State Master Councilor. At that time, he met his future wife Susan (Parker) who was serving as Grand Worthy Advisor for the Grand Assembly of Massachusetts, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. They were married in 1988 and have two children who followed in their Masonic footsteps. Their daughter Emily joined Middleboro Assembly and served as Worthy Advisor and their son Ethan became a member of South Shore Chapter and served as Master Councilor. Susan was Mother Advisor of Middleboro Assembly for twelve years. As a DeMolay, Brother Nichols was honored with the Degree of Chevalier and served as Commander in the East of Bay State Court and Charles W. Hunter Court of Chevaliers. As an adult he received the DeMolay Legion of Honor and served as President of Massachusetts Court, DeMolay Legion of Honor. He has been a member of the Advisory Council for South Shore Chapter since 2008 and has been Chairman for the last seven years. Dad Nichols is also a Deputy Member of the International Supreme Council of the Order of DeMolay.
Gene’s maternal grandfather was from Bridgeport, Connecticut, and his paternal grandfather was from Boston, who were both immigrants from Albania, and became Masons in the United States and proudly maintained their membership until they entered the Celestial Lodge Above. Brother Nichols was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in 1984 in The DeMolay Lodge. He went on to affiliate with Constellation Lodge in Dedham, where many of his Advisors and DeMolay brothers were active. He served as Worshipful Master in 1995-1997, Grand Steward in 1998, District Deputy Grand Master for the Hyde Park 25th Masonic District in 1999-2000. He was the third year Deputy Grand Master for the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in 2001 under his friend, brother and mentor, Most Worshipful Fred Kirby Bauer, who presented him with the Henry Price Medal. Right Worshipful Brother Nichols served on the Grand Lodge Board of Directors for six years, the Grand Lodge Scholarship Committee and currently is a member of the Grand Lodge 300th Anniversary Committee. Brother Nichols is most proud of J. Philip Berquist Lodge of Foxboro where he served as Charter Worshipful Master. The Lodge continues to thrive now almost twenty years after its founding.
Brother Nichols has been active in the York Rite in Neponset Valley Royal Arch Chapter, where he served as High Priest and was appointed for one year as Grand Royal Arch Captain under Most Excellent Lincoln K. Richards. Companion Nichols is a member of Hyde Park Council of Royal and Select Master Masons. S.K. Nichols was knighted in St. Bernard Commandery No. 12 and served as Eminent Commander. He was honored to receive a Past Commander’s Jewel that was once worn by S.K. J. Philip Berquist, Past Commander and Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. S.K. Nichols was also honored with the Knight Commander of the Temple award.
A member of the Scottish Rite in the Valley of Boston, Ill. Brother Nichols presided as Most Wise Master of Mount Olivet Chapter of Rose Croix from 2017-2020 and was coroneted as a Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Thirty Third Degree, Honorary Member of the Supreme Council in 2019.
Brother Nichols has affiliations with other Masonic Lodges and has memberships in many other appendant Masonic organizations including Angle Stone Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star where he is a six-time Past Patron; Aleppo Temple, AAONMS; Moslem Grotto, MOVPER; St. Matthew’s Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, where he is a Past Puissant Sovereign; Massachusetts College, SRICF; and Mayflower York Rite College.
S.K. Eugene Blake Nichols was installed as the Right Eminent Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Massachusetts and Rhode Island on October 29, 2022 and is looking forward to contributing to the advancement and growth of Templar Masonry in our two-state jurisdiction.
