DenMar Gardens – Fritz Roland Bjorklund (aka Nick), 78, of 308 Virginia Lane, DenMar Gardens, Kulpmont, passed away at his home with his wife at his side on June 10, 2023.

He was born in Vasteras, Sweden on November 21, 1944. After the sudden death of his father, Fritz, he came to America by ship with his mother, Jenny, when he was four years old. He and his mother lived in New Paltz, NY with his uncle, Eino and aunt Sylvia Astikainen, cousins, Eila and Diana, and second cousin, Linda B.

He attended elementary school in New Paltz, NY, and high school in Lantana, FL. Nick earned his Bachelor's Degree at Webb Institute, NY, and a Master's Degree at MIT, MA in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. After graduating he was employed by the U. S. Navy in Washington, D.C. and Roslyn, VA designing hulls for navy ships.

Nick met his wife, Leanne Wydra at Southern Towers in Alexandria, VA. They were married on August 2, 1969, at Queen of Apostles Church in Alexandria, VA. They moved to Indian Head, MD and had two sons, Eric and Dennis.

Nick was a guitarist who played with various bands at military bases in VA, MD, and D.C. He opened a music store in Indian Head, MD where he sold record albums with his friend. He began his own business selling musical equipment, amplifiers, microphones, etc.

After 11 years, Nick left his Navy position. Using his skills in writing programs he was contracted with a variety of companies in Washington, D.C., VA, and MD. He also wrote programs for banks in Washington, D.C. area as they moved into the world of computers. He later moved to PA and was contracted with several companies in the Harrisburg area as a computer programmer.

Nick decided to learn how to drive tractor-trailers. He got his DDL license. After long haul driving for about a year he fell and broke his heel. He was unable to drive for a while and was relegated to office duty at the trucking company, handling their paperwork. He immediately began writing computer programs and modernized the handling of office paperwork. He then saw an opportunity to start his own drivers' daily logs software company and began writing programs for individuals driving tractor-trailers. He modernized the daily log reports required by drivers.

Nick volunteered and was an active member of the local non-profit, Shamokin Creek Restoration Alliance. He enjoyed building and flying radio-controlled airplanes and metal detecting with his young sons.

Nick leaves behind his wife, Leanne Bjorklund of Den Mar Gardens; two sons, Eric R. of Indian Head, MD and Dennis A. of Orange, VA; two grandchildren, Eric Jr. and Jenna of La Plata, MD; cousins, Eila and daughters, Melissa and Jennifer, Diana and daughter, Kelli, Irene Berglund and daughters Carina and Agneta of Vasteras, Sweden; also families of sisters-in-law, Mary Louise Woytowich of Kulpmont and Joy Annette Keepe, of Riverside, CA.

Funeral Service will be private and held at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are in care of C. J. Lucas Funeral Home Inc., 1053 Chestnut St., Kulpmont, PA.