Dennis (Denny) Mark Nichols, 61 of Tunkhannock, passed away surrounded by his family on October 21st at Geisinger Wyoming Valley after being diagnosed with cancer a few years ago. Denny graduated from Tunkhannock Area High School in 1980. He attended Wilkes Barre Area Tech Center to learn welding. Early in his career, Denny traveled to Mystic, CT to weld a submarine, then to Florida, and finally back home to PA where he welded for 30 years in various shops and perfected his skills. He enjoyed telling stories of the welding projects he worked on while building race cars at Kniesels.

Denny was an avid sportsman, from playing sports in school, to racing dirt bikes, to hunting and fishing. He liked to go on trips to go watch Nascar Races to see his favorite driver Mark Martin, and he had a love/hate relationship with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, and loved hunting on his father’s property and spending quality time with family in the hunting shed. Not only did he enjoy listening to music—he also taught himself how to play the drums. He drummed in several bands, playing gigs for local bars and occasionally at events. The last few years he was teaching himself to play bass guitar and upgrade them, tinkering with their parts. He was the most proud of his two kids, Isaac and Emily, and how they grew into amazing adults. He discovered his fondness for cats and cherished his four cats and his dog Daisy.

He is survived by his wife, Deborah Nichols of Tunkhannock; his daughter, Emily Nichols of Tunkhannock; son, Isaac Nichols and his wife Stephanie of Wilkes-Barre; 2 brothers, Clint Nichols and his wife Rita Nichols of Tunkhannock and Randi Nichols and his wife Kate Nichols of Tunkhannock; his mother, Linda Nichols of Tunkhannock; his father, Richard Nichols and his wife Diana Nichols of Tunkhannock, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his sister, Jill Baldo of Factoryville, paternal grandparents Helen and Clifford Duane Nichols of Tunkhannock and maternal grandparents Roger and Evelyn McLaud of Tunkhannock.

A memorial service will be held Thursday Oct. 26^th, at 8pm from the Harding-Litwin Funeral Home 123 W. Tioga St. Tunkhannock.   A viewing will be held from 6pm until the time of the service.  For online condolences visit www.aplitwinfuneralhomes.com.