Nick was born August 1st 1931 in Long Island, New York. He passed peacefully in his sleep on October 29th at 3:19 pm, in Rapid City, South Dakota at the Monument Hospital Hospice House. Nick joined the military, Army Air Core, in 1948 under his brother’s Frank birth certificate due to Nick’s age. When Frank joined the military, Nick’s parents then had to sign papers for him to serve at the age of 17. Nick then served until 1953 with an Honorable Discharge. Nick met the love of his life, Ruth Marie Ellis, at a barn dance in Nemo, South Dakota in 1951.They were married for 55 years before Ruth passed away in 2008. Nick and Ruth had 8 wonderful children; Diana Ruth, Patrick Everett, Dominic, Michael Roy, Tony, Nancy, Stephen and Ralph. They also fostered Kela Fellows and Ruan Feather. When Ruth’s parents died, he and Ruth raised her siblings, Janet, Linda and David Ellis as well. Nick was preceded in death by his 10 siblings, his beloved wife Ruth (2008) and his oldest daughter, Diana “Bobbie” (2013). Nick and Ruth had 17 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. If you were lucky enough to have crossed paths with Nick at any point in your life, you knew that you were blessed. He devoted his life to family and taught the world by words and actions, that nothing is more important than family. The front door was never locked. There will be a private service at a later date in May.