Boris George Nicoloff, an alumnus of St. Vladimir’s Seminary (M.Div. ’69), entered into eternal rest on January 31, 2016. The entire seminary community expresses our condolences to his family.
A gifted musician, Boris founded the Harvard-Radcliffe Byzantine Russian Liturgical Choir in 1965. During his studies at St. Vladimir’s, he directed the Summer Octet, and also worked with Fathers Alexander Schmemann and John Meyendorff to organize retreats for college students. Following his graduation from seminary, Boris moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he worked as the choir director at Holy Trinity Cathedral and sang as a member of the Chicago Lyric Opera Company. After a number of years, Boris relocated to Detroit, Michigan, in order to care for his aging parents. He became a member of St. Paul Orthodox Cathedral in Dearborn Heights, where he not only sang in the choir but also hand-painted the icons on the iconostasis.
“Boris was a proud graduate, a skilled musician and singer, a choir director, and an iconographer,” remarked his sister, Mary Ann Lopoukhine.
He is survived by his brother Nicolas and wife Elinore [Eftimoff], their son George and daughter Christine [Frank] Gajor, and children Christian and Alexandra; his brother Deacon Clement and wife Audrey [Brewer] and their daughters Nicole and Mara [John] Benz; and his sister, Mary Ann [Nikita] Lopoukhine, and their daughters Sofia and Alexandra and son Raphael [Melissa].
Visitation will begin at Saint Paul Cathedral, 700 North Beech Daly, Dearborn Heights, MI, at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, February 5. The Panikhida will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will resume on Saturday, February 6, at 10:00 a.m., followed by the Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Boris’s memory be made to the “Father Nicoloff Scholarship Fund” at Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, 575 Scarsdale Road, Yonkers, NY 10707.
May his memory be eternal!
