Dr. John A. Malcolm Jr. "Nick" passed away Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024.

Ol' Doc reached the end of the trail the other day. The trail wasn't quite as long as he'd hoped given all he'd have liked to do, but mostly he did okay along the way. He's probably best remembered among his physician colleagues across the state for his series of editorials "Faerie Tales of Olde" — fables wherein, for the interests of their patients, Wizards (Docs) often sparred with Sorcerers (lawyers), Wonks (politicians), Dragon Clans (insurers), Gnomes and Trolls of the Underworld of Regulation (government) and the Dark Side of the Force (managed care).

Born, raised and educated in Pennsylvania, he returned following a stint in the Army and specialty training in Pathology. He served on the medical staffs of Geisinger Medical Center, Evangelical Community Hospital and Sunbury Community Hospital. At the state level, he served in many positions in the PA Medical Society, including its Board of Trustees. Locally, he served on and chaired the Upper Augusta Township's Planning Commission from its inception for more than 30 years. He bought the farm (literally) where he lived and raised his family from the time of his return to Pa. He married his uncle's next door neighbor, though he didn't actually meet her until introduced by his cousin while both he and his wife-to-be were in graduate school in Philadelphia. His wife Ann Carol (Yeaman) and he raised their three children — all of whom distinguished themselves academically, and in a variety of pursuits.

He never liked to toss old things away — as witnessed by the fact that he still had the first car he bought after getting married — a car as old as him — a 1934 Packard limousine. He also acquired a bevy of old Farmall tractors (all more than 50 years old) to do chores around the farm — each one with different equipment mounted because he got tired of wrestling hundreds of pounds of equipment on and off tractors as seasons changed. Besides, he liked to tinker with tractors and old cars whenever he could. In later life, he joined the Middlecreek Tractor Swingers, a tractor square dancing group, riding Fannie (a Farmall Cub) and performing at local county fairs and the PA Farm Show.

While known as a teetotaler of tobacco and alcohol, he seldom could resist the temptation of a slice of cherry pie or a dish of cookies n' cream ice cream. Tootsie Rolls were his favorite snack, but he would also avail himself of his wife's stash of Wilbur Buds when she didn't hide them.

Over the years, hundreds of Boy Scouts and local kids took his Hunter Safety Course, and along with his kids, planted tens of thousands of evergreen tree seedlings on the farm. His knowledge scope was huge, and he could educate everyone on subjects ranging from antique Packards and Studebakers, long guns, rimlocks, World War II, forestry, and biology, to environmental conservation.

He is survived by his wife of almost 66 years, Ann Carol; daughter, Ann (Cindy Myers); son, John (Rob Mancuso); daughter, Rebecca; four grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

We will miss his sense of humor, stories, fascination with the weather, and his sense of timing — when his conversation was over he politely reminded us that time was up and would say good-bye. So... Good-bye Nick.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to The Nature Conservancy (preserve.nature.org) or plant a tree.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Brady Funeral Home of Danville. Please send messages of remembrance and support to BradyFuneralHome.com.