"Love you Nic, you are the very best!"
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we bid farewell to our beloved son, brother and friend Nicolas. Nic was known to all as a gentle giant. He was large and LOUD with a heart bigger than his body. He was a loving, true and loyal friend to everyone he met. The outpouring of love and support our family has received is testament to the impact he made on all. We have received messages from family and friends however some of the most touching were from people we never met that reached out to tell us about how Nic had touched their lives with love and support in some of their darkest days. Those who knew Nic knew of his struggles. However even in his toughest moments he was always there for anyone who needed his help.
I was tempted to write this in "ALL CAPS" and those of you who knew Nic will understand that.
We will all miss Nic but we will never forget him. WE will hear him in a clap of thunder or maybe in the roar of a crowd.
"Love you Nic, you are the very best!"
"Nic you truly were the very best! You were like a little brother to me, I am lucky to have had you and Danielle to grow up with. You were the happiest little kid, always smiling and laughing and the first one to get excited about a trip or something new we got. You never held a grudge and just wanted to be a part of everything, you so easily forgave. During a difficult year in high school I was blessed to have you, Danielle and your dad take me in?I am even more grateful now since we got to spend a lot of time together. You never judged anyone, you just loved who you loved. You didn?t pick your friends based on status or financial success, you were never impressed or bought by that, you were drawn to genuine people, kind people and funny people. You had the best sense of humor and you were always making everyone bust a gut laughing. No matter what craziness was going on, when I would visit for the holidays or when you were in town, you would be the first to yell Nay from across the room and stand up and give me a huge hug. I miss you so much, but I plan on seeing you again and I expect you to yell Nay when you see me. I love you lots Nic! Rest in Heaven sweet Nic."
"I met Nic on a flight from Indiana to Phoenix 6 years ago. We sat next to one another and he leaned ?with that beautiful smile and those sparkling eyes, and said ?I hate to fly, keep me company? he asked why Phoenix and I said to visit my daughter. Ohh college, fun, I looked away and with tears said , ?no my daughter is an addict? I had never said it out loud, he reached over grabbed my hand and said, ?Nic, recovered addict?, I cried, he held me until I was able to compose myself and we talked NONSTOP for the 4 hour flight. He was a light in my life when all I could see was darkness. Months later he met my daughter in Phoenix and became her friend when she didn?t deserve him. He took her in on Christmas so she wasn?t in her car alone. He called me and gave me encouragement when I needed! He was my ROCK. His laugh, his voice, his hugs held our family together. My daughter got clean and for a few years they enjoyed that together.When he faltered I did my best to help him. He was stubborn and kept his distance when darkness hit him. He knew how much I loved him and would have done anything to see him succeed. He spent a weekend at my home not long ago and I will treasure our time together as it was the LAST hug I will ever get from the man I considered my son. Rest In Peace and I know your grandpa was waiting at the gates."
"I?m sad to learn of Nic?s passing. Nic was kind, fun, LOUD :) and had the most memorable eyes and smile. I?m grateful for the memories. My love to Bob and Danielle. Please know love and prayers are being sent you way. Love Katie Brown (Dever) "
"Nic holds a very special place in my heart. Always considered him apart of our family. Lots of great memories watching these kids grow up. Nic never let a holiday, my birthday or mother's day go by without sending me a text to wish me well. I remember the days when he would come over for our chef salad dinners that ended with he and I eating skinny cow ice cream bars and watching TV. I'm gonna miss HELLO MRS ANDERSON! WE LOVE YOU NIC AND WILL MISS YOU TERRIBLY"
"We are so sad to learn of Nic?s passing. I remember so well the many visits Nic and the Horizon guys made to our home. They were all loud, funny and a grand bunch of guys that ate frightening quantities of food, loved each other openly and truly and always treated me with great respect. Nic was a beautiful soul and will be missed by so many. Lynn-Paige (Martin?s Mom)"