PULASKI, NY — Daniel E. Nichols, 63, Pulaski, passed away Thursday, June 3, 2021, at the Syracuse VA Medical Center where he had been a patient for a week.
A graveside service with military honors will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 11, in Smithville Cemetery.
Dan was born on Oct. 21, 1957, a son to the late Earl and Bessie Tanner Nichols. He graduated from Pulaski Academy and he proudly served in the US Navy from 1976 to 1980. Dan worked for over 30 years for P&C Foods and Tops.
On Sept. 20, 1986, he married Joanne Bonacquisti in Pulaski, NY.
Dan was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. Through the years, Dan and his family, including his best friend and family dog Tasha enjoyed many memorable camping trips and family vacations.
Dan and Joanne were avid NASCAR fans; they were season ticket holders at Pocono Raceway. Each year they chose a different race track to attend and Dan was able to meet his favorite driver, Jeff Gordon among other drivers.
He was also a passionate New York Giants fan. On Sundays the TV would be switched between the race and a Giants game. His claim to success of the NY Giants was when he wasn’t watching the game. That was the running family joke about the Giants.
Dan loved to fish. He always took his children to special fishing spots where they would catch the smallest fish but it still made him so proud. He also enjoyed hunting and was able to go on a bear hunting trip once.
He enjoyed listening to classic rock and he loved telling stories about all of the great concert’s he attended in his youth.
There wasn’t anything Dan couldn’t fix with “a tarp or duck tape”. He was a handyman and did a lot of his own work on his families’ houses and vehicles. He also enjoyed gardening; he and Joanne took pride in their beautiful flower gardens.
Dan is survived by his wife, Joanne, Oswego; 3 daughter’s, Jessica Griffith, Pulaski; Nicole (Brandon) Claflin, Adams; Sarah Diamond, Pulaski; a son Chad Nichols, Fla; seven grandchildren, Hanna Nichols, Liam Downer, Chase Nichols, Arissa Cobb, Spencer Diamond, Allison Cobb and Cloey Claflin.
Besides his parents he was predeceased by his Aunt and Uncle who raised him Ralph and Nina Nichols, a grandson at birth, sister, Debbie Nichols and his brother Donald Nichols.
Online condolences may be made at www.carpenterstoodley.com