Main fundraiser photo

Nick O'Laughlin Memorial Fund

Donation protected
Nicolas Rosso O’Laughlin passed away unexpectedly in his sleep at his parent’s home in Carlisle on the morning of September 14, 2018. The cause of death is still unknown. He was 29 years old.

Nick and his twin brother were born in Boston on March 10, 1989. He grew up in Carlisle and graduated from Concord Carlisle High School. He then attended Villanova University where he obtained a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. After college, he moved back to Boston, bought an apartment in the South End, and went to work for an aerospace engineering firm.

However, he soon realized that there was more to life than work and decided that, at age 27, he would go into early retirement. He quit his job, set up an Airbnb rental, doubled his income, and spent the next year going on adventures with friends, spending time with his family and building a race car from scratch in his parents’ garage. After a year of early retirement, he went back to work at an industrial wastewater engineering company.

Those are the essential facts of Nick’s working life, but you would not have heard them from him. He never understood why people asked each other “what do you do?” by way of introduction. Instead, he would always ask “what are you passionate about?”

Nick was passionate about cars. He loved the engineering that made them work, and the artistry of how they looked and felt. He sought out adventure and insisted on having fun—always wanting to make the most of every moment and ever ready for a trip, regardless of destination. He wore colorful clothes, cool sneakers, and backwards hats. He rode boards—snow, surf, and skate and had sunglasses for every occasion. He had an innate eye for design, and was keenly observant—able to see and find beauty in small things that others missed.

Above all else, Nick loved other people and was happiest when he was with his friends and family. He formed a deep bond with a group of Carlisle friends during high school, and they remain connected after many years. At Villanova, Nick was also part of a close group of friends. In both cases, Nick was the constant friend to all—the common thread that stitched and held the groups together.

Nick had a special relationship with his parents. Although he had a place of his own, he preferred to live with them, telling his friends that he had the best roommates in the world. He loved his twin brother Andy. They were never apart.

Ultimately, Nick’s compassion for others was the singular defining feature of his character and the hallmark of his life. He was all heart. Disarmed by his caring, gentle, selfless, and loving demeanor, the people around him could not help but love him back. And we did. So much.

Nick will be missed and forever remembered by all those who loved him.  Especially his parents Marta Rosso-O’Laughlin and Michael O’Laughlin, his twin brother Andy O’Laughlin, his sister-in-law Carrie O’Laughlin, his extended family in Argentina, California, and around the world, his dear friends, and his dog Berkeley.

Nick leaves behind hundreds of people who loved him. He also leaves behind an example of how to live fully, a lesson on how to love simply, and one unfinished race car.  

Nick’s family and friends will gather to remember him from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, September 21st at Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford St, Concord, MA 01742.  Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 22nd at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family Parish in Concord, followed by a private burial. An open reception will be held following the funeral at 801 Maple St. Carlisle, MA 01741. All are welcome.

The proceeds of this memorial fund will be used to support causes Nick was passionate about.
Donate

Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $75 
    • 4 yrs
Donate

Organizer

Andy O'Laughlin
Organizer
Carlisle, MA

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.