West Morris Central Freshman Remembered Fondly by Educators

On Monday, Dec. 13, Long Valley lost a neighbor, 14-year-old Stephen Nichols, who died in his home. Nichols was a freshman at , and lived in Hackettstown his entire life.

The school had clergy members and counselors available on Tuesday when the student body and faculty were notified of the incident. About 60 students met with the counselors in the morning, with more than 20 staying through the afternoon, according to Principal Gil Moscatello.

"I knew Stephen by name and face," Moscatello said. "All his teachers have told me that he made a positive impression in their classrooms. [The teachers] were all deeply shocked, and deeply hurt."

Nichols, who attended Washington Township schools since elementary grades, was fondly remembered by Long Valley Middle School Principal Mark Ippolito.

"It's been a long week," Ippolito said. "We're all deeply shocked and saddened by the loss of Stephen. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends. When he was a student here, he had a nice to spend time with."

A public viewing of Nichols will be held at Cochrane Funeral Home on High St. in Hackettstown from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 17. A service will begin at 7:30 p.m. during the visitation. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Noah's Ark Animal Shelter in Ledgewood.