Henry Nichols

Henry “Hank” Owen Nichols died on March 27, 2026 in Bryn Mawr, PA. Born July 20, 1936 to parents Merwin L. Nichols and Lucille M. Moore in Niagara Falls, NY, Henry was a student at Sacred Heart and St. Mary’s Elementary Schools in Niagara Falls, NY, Morganton High School in Morganton, NC, and Bishop Duffy High School in Niagara Falls, NY. A three-sport athlete through high school, Henry attended Villanova University on a baseball scholarship and played on the freshman basketball team. In addition to a BA and MA from Villanova, Henry earned his Ed.D. at Duke University.

Henry served as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and played professional baseball with the Cincinnati Reds organization for three years before returning to the Falls area to teach English at LaSalle Junior High School and to coach baseball and basketball teams across the region. He served as a faculty member and Chairperson of the Villanova Department of Education and Human Services from 1970 through 2006.

Known as Hank in the athletic world, he refereed a record 6 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship Games and officiated in 10 NCAA Final Fours, 2 Olympic Games, several NIT finals, and the European Championships. He was also the first official to call both the NCAA Championship and NIT Championship Finals in the same year. In 1986, Hank became the first NCAA Coordinator of Officials and held that position for 22 years. He simultaneously served as the Secretary/Rules Editor from 1991 to 1997. In 2003, Hank was called up to The Show as an Umpire Observer for Major League Baseball, bringing him back to the diamond for the next twenty years. Enshrined as a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2012, Hank has also been inducted into the Villanova Varsity Hall of Fame, the Philadelphia Big 5 Hall of Fame, the Greater Buffalo Hall of Fame, the Greater Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame, and the Pennsylvania Athletic Hall of Fame.

While proud of these recognitions, Henry believed that his true legacy will live on within those he taught, coached, and loved. A faithful Catholic, true and loyal friend, and loving father, Henry is predeceased by his parents; his brothers, Jackie Nichols and Robert Nichols; and his wife, Letitia Merino Nichols. He is survived by his children, Jeffrey Nichols, Rachel Nichols (Christopher Williams), Sarah Nichols-Gottlieb, and Emily Nichols (Shaun Musselman), as well as his three grandchildren, Simon Henry Williams, Lucas Owen Williams, and Joshua Louis Gottlieb.

Visitation & Service:
Family and Friends are invited to a visitation on April 9, 2026 from 4pm – 7pm at the Wm. McConaghy Funeral Home at 328 West Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, PA 19003.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, April 10, 2026 at 10am at St. Thomas of Villanova Church on the Villanova campus at 800 East Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085.

Contributions:
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the scholarship fund in his name at Villanova University.
https://give.villanova.edu/campaigns/36916/donations/new? A=12790003&memorial_name=Hank+Nichols

Arrangements by Stuard Funeral of Ardmore