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ROCKFORD, IL – The man responsible for efforts to add beauty throughout our community, and  one of the main reasons Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens exists today has passed away. Daniel J.  Nicholas passed away on April 5, 2021, and was 93 years old.  

Dan was the first Rockford Park District Foundation Board President from 1993 to 1999 before going on to serve as a Rockford Park District Commissioner from 2001 to 2003. Dan then  continued his volunteer efforts with the Foundation Board and was named an Emeritus Director in 2019. Rockford Park District Foundation helps secure philanthropic support to the Rockford Park  District fundraising for people, projects, and places. “I was lucky to  be able to work with Dan as he served on our Foundation Board  after his time as president of the Board. Dan loved this community and loved seeing others enjoy life,”  said Lori Berkes-Nelson, Rockford Park District Foundation Director. Dan and his wife Ruth are  credited for establishing the City of Gardens program and every year hundreds of hanging baskets are  hung all throughout our community as flowers and gardens add beauty to the region, improve our  spirits, and provide a more pleasant place to live, work, and play.  

Dan Nicholas was also one of the namesakes for Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens. Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens is named after the Nicholas family, who in March 2006 announced their  donation of $2,150,000 toward the Conservatory project in honor of their parents, William and Ruby  Nicholas. Like many families growing up in Rockford in the 1940s and 1950s, the three Nicholas  brothers, Bill, Dan and Ab, spent much of their time outdoors enjoying Sinnissippi Park and the Rock  River. The Nicholas brothers envisioned Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens as a gathering place for  our community and a catalyst for future river development. “Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens  would still be a dream without Dan’s vision, passion for his hometown of Rockford, and his financial  contribution. He provided us with a gift that will continue to give back to the community in honor of  his parents. The Nicholas Conservatory staff are fortunate to live out Dan’s dream of having a place  for so many to gather for special occasions or to capture precious family moments. We will continue  to do so in his honor,” said Dan Erwin, Manager of Nicholas Conservatory & Gardens.  

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