Mark Timothy Nicholson

Mark Timothy Nicholson, 48, of DuBois, PA, died Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at Meadville Medical Center after a courageous 4-month battle with cancer.
Born in Meadville on September 27, 1961, he was a son of the late James R. Nicholson and Rosemary Davidson Nicholson.
He was a 1979 graduate of Meadville Area Senior High School, a 1983 graduate of Edinboro University of PA with a Bachelor of History degree. He also earned a Principals certificate from Indiana University of PA.
He taught History at DuBois Area High School for 25 years. He also initiated the soccer program at DuBois Area High School and was the head coach for many years. At the school, he directed many plays, mostly musicals. He wrote and taught a Civil War course as well. He planned and guided several trips abroad for his students. He also was instrumental in establishing the International Thespian Society and History Club at DuBois Area High School.
Before moving from Meadville, he was involved with Big Brothers, Meadville Community Theatre, was the assistant swimming coach at MASH for a time, was a member of the Masters Swim Team and also taught guitar lessons during his high school years. During his college summers, he was a lifeguard at several local pools.
He did genealogy research which resulted in a book for his family members. He was a crew member of the Flagship Niagara, a Civil War re-enactor and was in the cast of the movie 'Gettysburg'. He loved to travel, hunt and cook and was an avid Penn State fan.
He was a member of the Pennsylvania State Education Association, a social member of VFW Post #2006, Vernon Central Hose Co. and Conneaut Lake Volunteer Fire Department Station 3.
He is survived by his mother and step-father, Rosemary and Judge P. Richard Thomas, a sister, Kathleen Mahon and her husband Daniel of Wexford, three brothers Kevin of Meadville, Brian of Conneaut Lake and Jeffrey of Meadville, 3 nieces Claire Nicholson, Shea and Delainey Mahon, two aunts Kathryn Stewart and her husband James, Geraldine Kightlinger and her husband Kenneth, three cousins Susan Troutner and her husband Gary and their children Kyle and Austin, Cynthia Yoder and her husband Scott and their son, Garrett and Robert Kightlinger and his wife Renee. One step-brother, David Thomas and his wife Susan, two step-sisters Sally Pedon and her husband Felix and Carrie Farrington and her husband David, several step-nieces and nephews, and his beloved dog, Dixie.
He was preceded in death by his father, an infant sister, an aunt M. Gleyn Hinds, his maternal grandparents Raymond and Rita Davidson, and his paternal grandparents, William and Marie Nicholson.
Calling hours are Friday, April 9, 2010 from 2-4 and 7-9 at the Stephen P. Mizner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 404 Chestnut St., Meadville, where a scripture service will be conducted at 7 PM.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, April 10, 2010 at 1:00 PM at St. Brigid Roman Catholic Church with Fr. Mark OHern, Pastor, as celebrant.
Burial will be at St. Brigid Cemetery, West Mead Twp.
The family suggests memorial be made to the American Cancer Society, 464 Pine St., Meadville, PA 16335 or the American Cancer Society, 993 Beaver Dr., DuBois, PA 15801.
Share your condolences at miznerfuneralhome@zoominternet.net