Craig Joseph "Moose" Nichols, 58, of Wallace, North Carolina passed away on Sunday, January 24, 2021 from New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

He was born on October 6, 1962 in Great Barrington, MA and was the son of the late John and Jocelyne Foster Nichols.

Craig grew up in Great Barrington and attended Bryant School, Searles Middle School and Monument Mountain High School, graduating in 1980.  After high school he attended Northeastern University in Boston, MA and graduated with an Electrical Engineering degree.  Craig was then employed by Duke Engineering and later by Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Company where he worked for over 20 years.

It was at Vermont Yankee NPC that he met and married the love of his life, Cheryl Friel. In 2006, Craig, Cheryl and their son, Tyler moved to Wilmington, North Carolina where Craig was employed by GE for five years.  He then decided to go out on his own and created his own company, CCN Enterprises, where he provided project management consulting in Pennsylvania and then for Tennessee Valley Authority at Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant in Athens, Alabama for the past 6 years.

Craig is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 20 years, Cheryl Friel Nichols of their home; their son, Tyler Joseph Nichols of Phoenix, Arizona; brothers, John "Buzzy" Nichols and Chris Nichols and his wife Jenny, all of Chicago, Illinois; sisters, Carol Nichols of Missoula, Montana and Julie N. Crandell and her husband, Brian, of Kalispell, Montana; many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends that loved Craig.

Craig or "Moose", as he was affectionately called, was a devoted husband and caring father who loved his family dearly.  He was a great friend to all who knew him.  Moose treasured the many friendships he acquired from all over the world during his life. He did not take them for granted.   He enjoyed woodworking, gardening and playing golf.  Moose was also a huge soccer fan.  In high school, he played 'goalie' on the soccer team.  He enjoyed soccer so much that he decided to play soccer again in his thirties and forties.  Being a man with great talent, there was nothing Moose could not do.  He would always say he was a jack of all trades but master of none.  He loved people and was loved in return.  He was a great husband, best friend and father to his wife and son and also to his golden retriever dogs.  Craig will surely be missed but cherished memories will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

Due to the covid-19 outbreak, services for Craig will held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Neuse River Golden Retriever Rescue League, Inc.  P.O. Box 37156, Raleigh, NC  27627 or The American Cancer Society,  1901 Brunswick Avenue, Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28207

You may share your memories and send condolences to the family by selecting our Tribute Wall above.

Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Wallace, NC.  910-285-4005