News

Kelley Foundation Receives Bequest from Nickerson Estate
March 3, 2025

South Yarmouth, MA – The Edward Bangs Kelley and Elza Kelley Foundation, a volunteer led private charitable foundation established in 1954 for the benefit and welfare of the inhabitants of Barnstable County, has received a one million dollar bequest from the Estates of Joshua (Jan) Atkins Nickerson, Jr, and Louise (Weezie) Nickerson.

Jan grew up in East Harwich and dedicated more than 50 years of his life to Mid Cape Home Centers, a company founded by his grandfather in 1895, and served on numerous local civic and business boards during his career, including the Kelley Foundation. Jan and Weezie were married for almost 50 years until her death in 2005.

“The Kelley Foundation is extremely appreciative of the generosity of Jan and Weezie and their desire to leverage the Kelley Foundation to enrich the quality of life on Cape Cod to support nonprofit organizations providing programs and services that support all areas of the community,” said Bert Talerman, President of the Kelley Foundation.

Quote from their grandson Will:

“The Cape is a place my grandparents held very near and dear to their hearts. For generations, our family has thrived as part of this very special community. Their bequest to the Kelley Foundation is a testament to their commitment to the place they cherished and called home.

This foundation’s dedication to enriching life on Cape Cod by supporting scholarships and non-profit programs in all areas of the community, perfectly aligns with their desire to ensure that the Cape continues to flourish. I know they would have wanted nothing more than to give back to the people and places that have nurtured our family for so many years and ensure its well-being for future generations.”

The bequest was presented on behalf of the family by Will Nickerson, Agnes Nickerson, and estate co-executor Doug Bohannon to Bert Talerman and Matt Cole, representing the Kelley Foundation at Cape Cod Regional Technical High School in Harwich.