Obituary of Leo P. Nichols

Leo P. "Topper" Nichols, 92, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2025 at Morristown Medical Center. 

Born in Sussex, NJ, Topper was the eldest of seven children to the late Anna and Leo M. Nichols. 

Topper lived most of his young life in Franklin, NJ. He graduated from Franklin High School, where he played basketball and baseball. Leo was on the 1950-1951 team that won the County Conference for the second consecutive time in the history of the school. 

He joined the U.S. Navy and served four years aboard the USS Ingersall-DD652 as a Gunners Mate, 1st Class during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged and soon after enrolled in NJIT in Newark, NJ to continue his education. 

Topper met and married his beloved wife of 68 years, Barbara (Stirone) Nichols and they moved to Morris Plains, NJ to raise their two daughters, Wendy Nichols, of Madison, NJ, and Lisa Nichols, of Lamberville, NJ.    

He began his 40 year career with Automatic Switch in Florham Park and was very proud of wiring switches used in the World Trade Center in New York. 

The most important part of his life was his family and taking care of them; working long hours; and enjoying his dogs, Jacques, Cody and Teddy. He was also an avid Mets fan. 

In his spare time, Topper served on the Morris Plains Planning Board for many years. 

Topper is survivd by his loving wife, Barbara, and his devoted daughters, Wendy, and Lisa, and her wife, Diana Paterra. He is also survived by his dear siblings, Bette, Peter, Bob, Donna, Sharen and Linda; his sister-in-law, Sue Hess, and his brother-in-law, Carl Hess, both of Madison, NJ. 

A Memorial Mass for Topper will be held on Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at 9:30am at Notre Dame of Mt. Carmel Church, 75 Ridgedale Avenue, Cedar Knolls. Inurnment of Ashes will be private for family. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in memory of Topper may be made to: A Charity of Your Choice.

Arrangements are under the care of Dangler Funeral Home, Morris Plains, NJ.