Rest in Peace my father and drifter of Negril.. Nick

Hello everyone, I know my father frequented this message board and got to googling around last night during an ice storm here in Maryland and found his profile here. It was pretty funny reading up on some of his posts... his angry letter at Jimmy Buffet (if you knew him, you knew this was more of a joke as he was excited to make a play on the infamous "Cheeseburger in Paradise" rather than close down an establishment) http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...-Jimmy-Buffett ... or his search for the "best potty in Negril" http://negril.com/forum/showthread.p...otty-in-Negril


Nick passed away on May 10th.. just two days after his last post here. I know he had friends on here and thought they would like to know that he very much enjoyed your chats here. I have never been to Jamaica though he asked me several times. I guess I just thought when life slowed down a bit, I'd have the time. I think I will make that trip soon... with some ashes (some will go on the tomato patch here at the farm). He loved his mators :D

Nick is survived by two children, myself (Erin) and my brother, Chad as well as 4 grandchildren who he very much enjoyed sharing his sense of humor with.

Here are some pics of dad enjoying better days....


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Have a cold one for Nick next time to hit Negril!

Erin, so sorry to hear about your dad . If you need any help or advise on your journey there are hundreds of boardies that you can turn to. Just post and we'll respond. Take care ... Dash

So sorry to hear about Nick. I remember him well and remember the post of the infamous cheeseburger. Did he ever get a reply back from Jimmy? Not likely..
Nick will be missed...

I am so sorry for the loss of your father. Spreading his ashes in Negril sounds like a wonderful idea.

Sorry for your loss. You could also release a lantern in his honor as well,whenever you reach Negril.

My sympathies to you and your family. Your dad's posts always made me crack up. Safe journeys to you, should you decide to make the trip to Jamaica.

Erin sorry to hear about your Father. When you make that trip you will understand what he saw in it. And sprinkling some of his ashes there he will be there too. May he rest in peace.

I remember that smile...... Sorry to hear this sad news...

erin3399. looks like Nick was quite the character. sorry to hear of his passing at what appears to be a young age

So sorry for your loss. A lot of us have never met but we feel like we know each other .....kind of like a big family. Come to Negril & you will see what your father love about Jamaica. We never know when our time will come but I am so glad he had just returned from his special place in Negril.

Oh, my gosh. So sorry for your loss. I remember the ackee avatar and his posts well. Such a character and great stories. Always made me laugh! Wish I could find the story he told about his first trip to Negril. If I can remember right, he and a friend were supposed to take a trip to Mexico but somehow ended up in Negril. Maybe you know the story. Excellent idea about going to Negril, Erin. Lots of people, me included, have found comfort, peace and healing there, and like Blandy said, you would experience what your dad loved so much about it. Will definitely have a cold one for Nick the next time I'm in Jamaica. Thanks for letting us know.

So sorry to hear about the loss of your father. Like Maryann, I remember his ackee avatar very well. That is so awesome that you found your dad's posts here on Negril.com.

Erin,

Lisa (Bnewb) and I are both saddened by the news. We have spent many many wonderful hours sharing stories with your Dad over the years. We were looking forward to seeing him again this year. It would be our pleasure to meet you and help out in any way we can when you come down.

We are sorry to hear the news, but feel incredibly lucky to have met your Dad.

Rob & Lisa

I am very sorry for your loss. I recently lost my own father and simpathize. Despite not knowing or having met him, he sure seems like a guy I would have enjoyed meeting and spending some time with. I remember his letter to Jimmy and based on my own experience understood his point of view.

"Bar fight"...........meet my buddy Nick......Is there a PROBLEM HERE? :)

As others have said....bring friends and family to Negril....it's never too late to experience what drew him there.

Wow... thanks everyone for the warm welcome.

Maryann, that's a funny story that I've heard a gazillion times but, cannot quite remember now exactly how it went... isn't that how it goes:( I think him and a friend hitch hiked from Glassport, PA to Miami only to have his buddy mistaken for a terrorist as they were boarding the plane for Mexico. Kicked off the plane and desperate, some dude said, Dudes! you gotta check out Jamaica. Well, they did and two pivotal things happened to him during that vaca. #1 he was offered to buy oceanfront land in Negril for a mere $1,000 per acre by going in on it with a Jamaican. He laughed and turned it down and thought... why would I do that when I could buy land in Glassport for that? Another, maybe not as awesome thing... he ventured into a random hole in the wall bar countryside and there were 2 people sitting at the bar. One of the guys said, "dude.. you just missed it. Mick Jaggar JUST left" both of these things, he strongly believed, foreshadowed the rest of his life.

Rob, I remember him talking about you and Lisa and all the fun times he had down there. I wish I could remember them all now... would like to catch up sometime.


JamaicaMary, I think he did get a reply... and was asked to be a taste tester of sorts for their new menu items. I don't think he ever took them up on it but, he was very honored to be offered the part.. being the food critic he was. I think Rob knows more...

Erin, I'm so sorry for your loss. Your dad sure looks like he was a lot of fun to be around! I'm sure its been rather bittersweet coming across his profile here, but I hope you will be encouraged to take a trip to Negril someday to see firsthand why your Dad loved it so much! Thanks for taking the time to post. Take care.

Erin, I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad. I enjoyed reading his posts! My sympathies to you, your family, & your Dad's friends.

Sorry for your loss, I'm glad you found your Dad's posts and hopefully one day you will visit and see why we all love it so.

Never met your pops but one look at those photos tells you there's a "dude" that lives life,;) there's other ways to do it ,but I think that's the best way! Peace

As an old timer to Negril, Nick and I had a few board discussions about Negril in the early 70's.
RIP, Nick.

Regards,
Bob

Sorry for your loss, Erin.

I never had the pleasure of meeting your father but I would like to express my condolences. We are all brought together here because of our love of Negril and once you go you truly do know. We are a wide, varied and sometimes dysfunctional family but I get a tonne of pleasure from frequenting this board before and after my travels. Looking at your dad's photo's its pretty obvious that he embraced life to its fullest. We can all learn a lesson from that for sure. The picture of him in the white shirt and sunglasses reminds me of me while I am down there. Loving every minute of it. Thanks for sharing and soon come....you will never regret it! :)

Erin,
Thank you for finding us & posting.
Find comfort in his words & spirit!
We will too!

Please don't beat yourself up for not going to Negril with him. Go when you can!
I hope you find it a peaceful, healing place, where you can feel closer to him....& to yourself, to help you move forward with a lighter heart.

WestEndGirl aka Lori XO

hey i used to party with him in negril...we all knew him by his jamaican moniker...bigger...he was a man chalk full of decent morals....

My condolences to you and your family, Erin.
I only knew your Dad as a fellow boardie,
But I am touched by your messages and efforts to connect with your Dad's past.
May you find peace in the memories...
And may you find meaning and enjoyment in your first trip to our beloved Jamaica!

Sorry for your loss, wishing you peace and comfort.

Erin,
my deepest sympathy for you and your family. Thank you for writing your beautiful note and attaching the photos. i wish you peace and healing. - nori

Heartfelt sympathy to you and your family Erin.

Pray you are able to travel to Jamaica and connect with the country your dad loved.

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Originally Posted by lanetop

hey i used to party with him in negril...we all knew him by his jamaican moniker...bigger...he was a man chalk full of decent morals....

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hahhaahha I remember him talking about that! It was "Bigger" and some called him "Bigs" Thanks so much to everyone posting here. I really didn't know what to expect but, keep checking the board throughout the day and smile with each comment. It really feels like I found him somehow. We used to have our feuds.. like most families. I am a very strong, independent girl and we often bumped heads but, we were more peas and carrots than anything else. He was always on speed dial when anything dramatic happened to me... which was pretty much daily :cool: And, he always gave great advice.

One place I want to see when I go is this bar that is floating out in the water. He said they cook this fish something on hot coals (he's a big foodie, if you didn't know... he used to rave about how cheap and good and healthy he could eat on the side of the road in Jamaica) in this hut. And, the only way to get there is by boat. I have some pics somewhere... have to find them. He also loved Catcha... something or other a hotel. I remember the first time he revisited since the 70's I sent him a bottle of rum and fresh fruit to his room and he was so happy to make a cocktail upon arriving then hit the beach first thing. He swore his joints and his eye sight improved with each visit... but, I don't think it was the rum :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by erin3399

One place I want to see when I go is this bar that is floating out in the water. He said they cook this fish something on hot coals (he's a big foodie, if you didn't know... he used to rave about how cheap and good and healthy he could eat on the side of the road in Jamaica) in this hut. And, the only way to get there is by boat.

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Sounds like the Pelican Bar - they cook the fish & lobster in hubcaps. Does this look familiar?

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So sorry for your loss, when you visit Jamaica I'm sure your dad will be there with you...

Awwww, Nick!! My sympathy on your loss. Thank you for posting his photos, I will miss seeing him around the board. Thanks so much for posting here and letting us know.

I don't post much. Just check in. But I do recall your father's posts. Good humor. Sorry for your loss and I hope that you can get yourself to Negril to realize just what he loved so much about what we have found to be our place in the sun.

Erin - sorry for your loss. Remember some really fun posts from your dad. It's hard when they go, but those of us who have happy dad memories are really blessed! Peace.

Erin I am so sorry for your loss. Stay strong.

So sorry for your loss Erin. If you feel the need to sprinkle a few ashes in Negril you know you can count on this board to assist you with that. I am sure there are a few people who met your Dad down here and knew of his love for the Island. Some of his pics look like they go way back!!!! What ever you decide and what ever you do know that you are not alone...

God bless Nick.

My heartfelt sympathies. Although I never met Nick I do recall some of his humorous posts. You could tell he was a lover of life and Negril.

Erin, do not put off the trip. Just my suggestion

Hi Erin,

I didn't read Nick's posts on this board but I recognized his face in the first photo. I remember him from the old days hanging out at Rick's Cafe on the West End of Negril. (Way before the hurricane KO'ed it) Back then it was a small bar & restaurant perched on the cliffs. It was a hang out spot for sunsets and regardless of ones digs (Beach or Cliffs) it was the place at sunset. RIP Nick. PS If you are considering scattering some ashes in Negril Ricks (or at least the cliffs down by the lighthouse) might be a nice spot.

Erin dealt with this situation over a year ago, she made this post in January 2014, not 2015. We miss Nick, he was always fun to be around, but please respect Erin and understand that she has had well over a year to make her decisions. This thread is closed. We miss you Nick....