A lot of people who met Nick would say, "Oh yeah, I know Nick. He's the big dude from The Brit, right?" But those of us who are close to Nick know him as that and so, SO much more. Anyone will tell you that he was the type that, at first glance seemed more than a little intimidating because of his "stature." :) But after about 30 seconds, you'd realize he was the type of guy you couldn't help but like, yet feel safe with. Nick always carried a pocket knife... yet I don't think he ever used it to cut open anything but a box. Honestly, I don't think Nick had a violent bone in his body. When he went hunting, I'm pretty sure he never actually shot anything.
Nick above all things was a GIVER. A giver of time, friendship, labor, hardwork, a shoulder to cry on.. ANYTHING. That's probably why EVERYONE loved Nick. And Nick loved everyone he was close to. Especially his wife, my sister, Marissa. Sometimes I didn't get their relationship, but I knew it worked. THEY worked. Nick loved her so deeply, and showed her in so many little ways everyday of their relationship. The first time I saw Nick and my sister together 13 years ago, I knew he was perfect for her. And when they got married five years ago, I knew no one would ever love her like he does. My sister and Nick didn't have kids of their own, by choice. But they had several neices and nephews, some blood, some not. Nick often referred to my son and daughter as "his" kids because that's how close they were to him.
On December 6, 2014, Nick was having touble breathing and had my sister call 9-1-1. Fire and paramedics arrived and transported Nick to Santa Teresa Kaiser; less than a mile away from their house. On the way to the hospital, Nick's heart stopped beating. EMTs and doctor's worked on him for close to an hour, and eventually got his heart to beat on its own; but he was not breathing on his own. After several days, dozens of tests, false hopes, and many, many prayers, Nick was officially declared "brain dead" on December 10, 2014, at 2:00pm. But because Marissa and Nick's family know Nick is a giver, they know he would want to give as long as he can. His body is being kept alive so that he may donate his organs and save other people's lives. Ultimately, Nick has given the greatest gift of all, both while he was here, and after he is gone.
The impact of this loss is felt by an astounding number of people; especially by his wife, Marissa, and his family. The amount of grief is close to unbearable. I'm asking for any donation amounts to help aide with the medical costs associated with Nick's stay at the hospital and subsequent funeral costs. PLEASE help me take even the slightest burden from my sister and Nick's family so that they only need to focus on their grieving process.
Nick above all things was a GIVER. A giver of time, friendship, labor, hardwork, a shoulder to cry on.. ANYTHING. That's probably why EVERYONE loved Nick. And Nick loved everyone he was close to. Especially his wife, my sister, Marissa. Sometimes I didn't get their relationship, but I knew it worked. THEY worked. Nick loved her so deeply, and showed her in so many little ways everyday of their relationship. The first time I saw Nick and my sister together 13 years ago, I knew he was perfect for her. And when they got married five years ago, I knew no one would ever love her like he does. My sister and Nick didn't have kids of their own, by choice. But they had several neices and nephews, some blood, some not. Nick often referred to my son and daughter as "his" kids because that's how close they were to him.
On December 6, 2014, Nick was having touble breathing and had my sister call 9-1-1. Fire and paramedics arrived and transported Nick to Santa Teresa Kaiser; less than a mile away from their house. On the way to the hospital, Nick's heart stopped beating. EMTs and doctor's worked on him for close to an hour, and eventually got his heart to beat on its own; but he was not breathing on his own. After several days, dozens of tests, false hopes, and many, many prayers, Nick was officially declared "brain dead" on December 10, 2014, at 2:00pm. But because Marissa and Nick's family know Nick is a giver, they know he would want to give as long as he can. His body is being kept alive so that he may donate his organs and save other people's lives. Ultimately, Nick has given the greatest gift of all, both while he was here, and after he is gone.
The impact of this loss is felt by an astounding number of people; especially by his wife, Marissa, and his family. The amount of grief is close to unbearable. I'm asking for any donation amounts to help aide with the medical costs associated with Nick's stay at the hospital and subsequent funeral costs. PLEASE help me take even the slightest burden from my sister and Nick's family so that they only need to focus on their grieving process.