Dan Nicholas

May 25, 1931 - February 17, 2022

POWAY — Dan’s love of laughter and belief in the power of positive thinking will always be remembered by those who knew him best.

Born in Chicago, IL, he was thirteen when his parents moved the family to San Diego to go into the restaurant business. Sadly for Dan and his three siblings, their parents passed away soon thereafter. While attending San Diego High School, Dan immersed himself in sports and was a starting lineman for the football team.

After graduation, he enlisted in the Navy, where he was a hospital corpsman during the Korean War. He returned home after serving, enrolled at San Diego State, played football again as a starting O-lineman, and graduated with a BA in Business in 1958.

In 1956 Dan married the love of his life, Tula Tassos of Battle Creek, MI. Upon his college graduation, Dan was a financial consultant in San Diego.

A few years later, Dan and Tula’s yearning to travel took them to Europe, where Dan helped U.S. servicemen with their financial planning needs while coaching football in Germany to the men as well. While overseas, they had two daughters, Rainy and Cindy, and met many life-long friends, often reminiscing of those good times.

Dan and Tula returned to the U.S. in 1967, lived and worked in L.A. for a time, then settled in Poway in 1970. In 1981 he made a big career move, going into stand-up video games placing the coin-operated machines in various locations around the county. In the late 1980’s he switched to electronic dart games/ leagues and was known as “Dan the Dart Man.” Tula was always by his side, helping to run the business. At its height of popularity, the different dart leagues combined had over 800 participants, and was an enjoyable time of their life meeting so many great people.

In the late 1990’s Dan retired and pursued his love of learning by studying statistics, the stock market, and investing. He loved watching football, Pink Panther movies, nature shows, and history documentaries. If a friend was down on their luck, they always knew Dan would help them through the tough times. A true animal lover, too, he would feed all the critters who visited the backyard. These were fun times as well with his grandchildren, watching them play their sports, supporting them in everything, and encouraging them to always do their best.

Dan passed peacefully at home with his family after several years with Alzheimer’s, but was quick to laugh, remained upbeat, and would say, “Don’t worry, everything will work out.”

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, James and Helen, and his brothers Nick and Ted. He is survived by his sister Rose, his wife Tula, daughters Rainy (Mike), Cindy (Dan), grandchildren Duke, Scott, and Demi, and several nieces and nephews.

A service will be held at Miramar National Cemetery on April 6th at 10:30am.

Please sign the Guest Book online obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com