Douglas C. Wheeler - Nicholson

Douglas C. Wheeler-Nicholson, 98, of Gallatin, N.Y., passed away peacefully on July 13, 2026, at the Hebrew Home in Riverdale. He was born in Manhattan on February 8, 1928, to the late Major Malcom Wheeler-Nicholson and Elsa Sachsenhasen-Björkbom. They relocated to France for some time before returning and settling in Great Neck, N.Y. In 1950 he enlisted in the United States Army.

Throughout his life, Douglas had many different jobs, starting out working in a logging camp in California and later being a truck driver. He joined Ebasco Services as a consultant. Later he became a Principal of JFN Associates, in charge of planning and interior design for projects in New York, San Juan, P.R., Chicago, London, Milan, and other US and international locations. Eventually, Douglas founded Building Programs International (BPI), providing Strategic Planning and Development services to corporations. BPI was sold to Cushman and Wakefield, where Douglas was a Senior Vice President and Broker. His love of architecture and buildings was shown through countless projects around the world.

 In the 1980’s Douglas and Ruth discovered the Pine Plains farming community and purchased a house in Shekomeko. Here Douglas was able to pursue his equestrian passion and enjoy the simple things of country living. He enjoyed reading the New York Times, doing crossword puzzles, the challenges of Duolingo in Spanish and French, and enjoying a martini or a good glass of wine. Ruth and Douglas enjoyed traveling the world together and sharing their day-to-day work. They both became real estate brokers and worked locally for a few Realtors and then for Ruth Bezares, Licensed Real Estate Broker.

 Douglas is survived by his five children, Antoniette Wheeler, Dana Wheeler- Nicholson, Diane Wheeler, Ian Wheeler, and Danielle Nicholson, and his stepchildren, Kevin Cruz, Sharon Lynn Olivo-Perez, Marcus Timothy Bezares-Olivo, his grandchildren, Elinor Marie Carbone, Olivia Carbone, Ivy Wheeler Carbone, Otis Wheeler, Darcy Wheeler, nieces Tina Blakeney, Toni Ahlgren, Charlotte Skene Catling, Christine Quigley, Marie Nicholson, nephew Desmond Catling and step grandchildren Crystal & Miguel Cruz, Jasmin Marrero, Marcus Ayala, Chanel Deane, David Perez Jr., Nigel & Sasha Olivo, in addition to many great-grandchildren, grandnieces, grandnephews and other members of the Wheeler-Nicholson and Bezares families. 

He was predeceased by his sisters Antoniette Harley, Marianne Wheeler-Nicholson, Diane Nicholson, and his brother Malcom Wheeler-Nicholson.

A time to gather, share memories and offer condolences will be held on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 starting at Noon from the French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, 25 Railroad Avenue, Chatham, New York. At 1:00pm a procession will travel to the Gerald B.H. Solomon National Cemetery. Military honors will be rendered at 2:30pm at the cemetery for those wishing to meet at the cemetery.