The Nicholson Cos./AAAA Self Storage Management Group Mourns Passing of Company Veteran Stuart WadeThe Nicholson Cos./AAAA Self Storage Management Group Mourns Passing of Company Veteran Stuart Wade

Stuart Wade, a well-known self-storage broker and business-development manager for The Nicholson Cos. and its management arm, AAAA Self Storage Management Group, passed away on Jan. 2 in Chesapeake, Virginia, following a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 70 years old.

Wade was employed by The Nicholson Cos. for more than 20 years. His friendly and charismatic manner with clients, peers and coworkers made him one of the most recognizable and well-liked personalities in the self-storage industry, according to a company press release.

Born on July 8, 1954, Wade led a life filled with professional success, personal passion and deep familial devotion. He was raised in Richmond and Virginia Beach, Virginia. After graduating from Douglas S. Freeman High School in 1973, he attended Chowan University in Murfreesboro, North Carolina, earning a degree in 1977. His education laid a strong foundation for a career that spanned various sectors of business, in which he achieved great success and recognition as a self-storage expert and consultant.

Wade enjoyed surfing, fishing and working on cars. His love for the outdoors evolved into a passion for skeet shooting, hunting and captaining sport-fishing boats, a pursuit he cherished for three decades. Wade was an ardent supporter of wildlife conservation and a dedicated member of Ducks Unlimited, a nonprofit dedicated to wetland and waterfowl conservation. He held a special affinity for the decoy carvers of the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

“To say that Stuart loved his hobbies of hunting and fishing is the understatement of the year. In fact, he took me on my first upland bird hunt, a sport I have continued to be active in ever since and now enjoy with my sons, thanks to Stu.” said Tom Nicholson, president of The Nicholson Cos.

Wade is survived by his wife, Beth Wade; brother, Steve Wade; son, Stuart Carlton Wade III; stepsons Ashton, Aaron and Brandon Beebe; and grandchildren.

To honor Wade’s life, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, National Pancreatic Foundation or the Seena Magowitz Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.

Established in 1973, The Nicholson Cos. owns self-storage properties as well as provides property-management services for other owners and investors. AAA Self Storage Management Group operates more than 50 facilities in seven states.