Obituary of Nicholas R. Loveless

Nicholas R. Loveless passed away peacefully at home on October 19, 2019 at the age of 93.

Born in Lawrenceville, he attended Lawrenceville Elementary School and Princeton High School, and later attended Mexico City College and Rider College. During World War II, he served as an aerial gunner and combat photographer on a B-25, completing 60 combat missions with the 340th Bomb Group in the Mediterranean area. Many of his photographs and stories have since appeared in books, aviation magazines and publications. One of his photos was selected as a model for a painting and used on a Franklin Mint Heirloom plate in 1994.

Recalled to active duty in the Korean War in 1950, he was assigned to a B-29 crew of the 307th Bomb Wing, and completed 40 combat missions over North Korea. He was a tail gunner for the Wing Commander that lead 9 planes on a mission to bomb bridges over the Yalu River, in the first major air battle with enemy jet fighters in the war. He served 27 years active duty and mostly Reserve duty, with the AAF and USAF and was the recipient of many decorations.  In 1947, Nick purchased a war surplus Army vehicle and drove it 5,000 miles to Fairbanks, Alaska. He then worked on a crew that surveyed a portion of the path of what eventually became the Taylor Highway from Tetlin to Eagle on the Yukon River.  He joined the Lawrence Township Police Force in 1954 and rose through the ranks to Chief of Police, retiring in 1990. As a hobby, he raised Christmas trees for many years. As a history buff, he authored 70 articles profiling local veterans. As Chairman of the Veterans Memorial Committee, he was instrumental in the planning and erection of the Veteran’s Memorial in Veterans Park and the Veterans Honor Roll in the Municipal Building. As an outdoor enthusiast, he has hiked in many National Parks across the country. In 20017, he sold his tree farm to Lawrence Township to be used solely as a nature preserve (The Loveless Nature Preserve on Eggerts Crossing Rd.).  Nick was a life member of American Legion Post 414, VFW Post 3922, The International Association of Chiefs of Police, Past President of the 57th Bomb Wing Association and several other organizations.  Nick was a direct descendant of Gershom Loveless a 5-year veteran of the NJ Continental Line in the Revolutionary War, and according to family tradition, a member of the Boston Tea Party.

Nick was pre-deceased by his parents, Roy and Helen Ketterer Loveless, and his wife Josephine Marie Loveless. He is survived by his children Robert , Richard and his wife Karyn, Annette and her son Nicholas,  step-son Walter Barresi and his wife Susan and son Peter, and many nieces and nephews.

Nick’s easy-going manner, sense of duty, honorable ethics and love of life made him a much loved and respected member of the community. He will be greatly missed, especially by his family who love him deeply.  He will be honored at a flagpole dedication at The Bridge Academy on Lawrence Rd at 1pm on Veteran’s Day November 11. All are invited.

The funeral will begin on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at 10AM at Poulson & Van Hise Funeral Directors, 650 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11AM at The Church of St. Ann, 1253 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648.

Interment will be held privately.

The viewing for Nicholas will be held on Monday evening from 5-8PM and again on Tuesday morning from 9-10AM at the funeral home.

Donations in his name may be made to The Nature Conservancy  https://www.nature.org/en-us/