Nick was never happier than when he was outdoors — hunting, fishing, and camping were as essential to him as breathing. Brown Run, the family home in Warren, PA was his dream getaway; any time he was stationed close enough to get there, he would. After his military retirement, he and Margee made a tradition of RV trips to Penn State for football Saturdays, (and to see his boys!) and no amount of weather ever kept them away. Rain or snow, he was cheering in the stands for as long as he was able. This past season, even while in hospice care, he wanted to go to one more game...a monumental effort on his part, but he did it. The Nittany Lions lost, but he got his wish.

He was a die-hard Washington Capitals fan through decades of heartbreak, and when they finally won the Stanley Cup in 2018, nobody celebrated harder (except possibly for Ovi). He loved the Washington Redskins just the same. Hail to the Redskins — Hail Victory.

Nick loved his dogs fiercely — Vader, Madel, Magic, Pepper, Shaka, Sabre and Rebel, to name a few. Except, when they barked. They were always beside him and there was always time for cuddling and scratching.

Back in his younger days he loved to ride motorcycles. His pride and joy was a big ole Harley Davidson that Anthony now tinkers with. Archery, softball, RC car racing and scuba diving were other hobbies that he enjoyed tremendously. He and Margee upgraded to a wheelchair accessible RV in 2015, with a goal of seeing as many National Parks as possible. He got to see quite a few, and made many amazing RV friends in the process; friends who included and enabled him to see and do as much as possible, despite his increasing disabilities and limitations. Those trips and rallies were amazing and kept him going!

Nick's newest role was being promoted to grandfather in May of 2023, with the birth of Riccardo! He couldn't have been more excited to welcome our little Sicilian grandbaby to the family. (Nick's family originated in Sicily, so he felt that it was perfect how things come full circle sometimes!) He just loved their few visits, and woke up every morning to pictures and videos of Ricky, which he looked at over and over. Nick, with his kooky sense of humor, had planned to be called PoppaWheelie, but Ricky had his own ideas, and calls him "Nonno Nick". Ricky's current favorite movie is "Cars" and he named one of the characters after his grandfather, which delighted Nick!