Dennis E. "Denny" Nicholson

Dennis "Denny" Edward Nicholson, 76, passed away February 11, 2026 in Fort Gratiot, MI after a long illness. He was born on March 17, 1949 in Port Huron, Michigan to the late William R. and Lorraine W. Nicholson.

In his early years, he played baseball and football and was active in Scouting, earning the rank of Eagle Scout, attending the Boy Scout Jamboree in Valley Forge, PA, and later serving as a Troop Leader. He was also a member of the DeMolay.

He graduated from Port Huron Northern High School in 1967 and Michigan State University in 1971. He was an Alpha Kappa Psi fraternity brother during his college years. After graduation, he returned to Port Huron, married his high school sweetheart Mary Storbeck on June 26, 1971, and helped build their family home.

He was the third-generation owner of Port Huron Welding Supply Inc.; founder, owner, and operator of Fire Safe Inc.; and proudly served many years as a volunteer firefighter with Clyde Township Fire Department. He was instrumental in the formation of the St. Clair County Special Response Team, serving as chief alongside other volunteers who trained for and responded to hazardous material incidents throughout the county. He was a hard worker, always on call to answer welding and fire service questions from friends and colleagues. He made many lifelong friends throughout St. Clair and Sanilac Counties and was very generous with his time and donations to area businesses, schools, and sporting teams.

He loved to fish, hunt, play hockey, and spend time outdoors, including at his family cottage in West Branch, having many trips with his parents and later with his own children. His greatest pleasure was his family, watching his children play baseball and softball, often helping coach, run practice, or spread dirt on the diamond. Despite working six days a week, he made time to volunteer with the fire department and still managed to make his children's sporting events year after year. Later, he became PaPa Denny to Ava and Maddie, whom he loved dearly, cherishing the time he spent with them growing up.

After retiring, he put greater effort into wood burning and carving, especially waterfowl and shorebirds for himself and his family. He built model ships, including some replicating his family's freighters that once sailed the Great Lakes (Nicholson Transit). He built a giant dollhouse for Mary with many custom features. Later, he studied genealogy, diligently documented family histories. He enjoyed hard fought Scrabble games with his wife, with a knack for landing 50+ point words.

He is survived by wife, Mary; son Corey Nicholson and daughter-in-law Lindsay and their children, Ava and Madelyn of New Baltimore, MI; and daughter Emily Walter and son-in-law Josh of Las Vegas, NV. He is also survived by his special sister-in-law, Julie DuBay and nephew, Justin DuBay of St. Clair, MI; his Aunt Joann Maxwell; and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by parents, William and Lorraine, and infant brother Dean who passed away shortly after birth in 1954. He was also preceded in death by grandparents, Edward and Gertrude Nicholson along with Bertha Rose (Perry) Whitley, James Perry, Ted Whitley; aunts and uncles Jay and Genevieve Martin, Bernard and Virgina Perry, and John "Pete" Maxwell; his father-in-law and mother-in-law Ivan "Stub" Storbeck and Dorothy Storbeck, and sister-in-law, Christa Storbeck.

Private family services have taken place. Burial was at Lakeside Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Blue Water Council Boy Scout Endowment Fund, First United Methodist Church of Port Huron, or the Blue Water Area Humane Society.

Jowett Funeral Home is privileged to serve the Nicholson Family.

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