Nicholson, Edward's Obituary
Edward (Nick) E. Nicholson passed away on September 25, 2025 after a battle with Alzheimer's and frontotemporal dementia. He went with peace at home with his loved ones by his side. Always known as "Nick," he was born on October 20, 1957 in San Mateo, CA and dedicated his life to having a good time. He loved riding dirt bikes and motorcycles, going camping, hiking, fishing, attending concerts, cooking, and spending time with his family and friends. He painted cars for over forty years, occasionally taking a break to be a motorcycle mechanic. Despite being a bit of a wild child, Nick was unfailingly kind, gentle, sensitive, and sweet. Anyone who ever got to know him immediately knew a friend, because he could talk at length about basically anything. He gave excellent hugs and had a good listening ear, and he loved animals, folding within minutes (if not seconds) of saying, "We're not keeping it." His family took advantage of this often, and most nights he could be found with a cat or dog on his lap as he watched the news or a game. Nick was devoted to his family, acting as a racing partner, assistant coach, concert buddy, cheerleader, and supporter. He loved and accepted them without question or condition, opening his heart to any wayward friends and adopting them as his own. In his younger years, Nick could be found racing at places like Sears Point and Laguna Seca or participating in races like Barstow to Vegas. He spent a lot of his childhood on his grandparents' farm in Port Kenyon, where he was able to fish, shoot, and camp to his heart's content. He passed his love for racing, music, movies, history, and the outdoors to his children Adrienne and Elaine. In 1977, Nick went to a party where he was set up on a blind date with a friend of a friend. After taking her to see Star Wars, he and Mary started an adventure that lasted 48 years. He proposed to her on Dunes Beach (not on one knee, but she still said yes) in the spring of 1978, and they married on June 16, 1979, giving them 46 years as husband and wife. Nick was a dedicated and loving husband, father, brother, and Pop-pop. He was happy to accept children and grandchildren into the family outside of the ones related by blood. He loved his massive extended family of in-laws, step siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He also leaves behind his faithful animal companions Rocco and Rosie. He is preceded in death by his father, Edward Nicholson; mother, Evelyn Clark; and stepmother Corinne Nicholson. A celebration of life and 68th birthday party for Nick will be held at Swiss Park in Newark, CA on October 19th at 1 PM. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer's Association or By the Bay Health in his name. By the Bay Health was a great source of help and comfort for him and his family while he was on hospice in his last days. Also, please consider going into the woods and thinking of him walking or riding among the trees. Think of him whenever you see a Snap-On truck (his version of an ice cream truck), hear a loud motorcycle, see a classic car with a good paint job, see the number 248 (his racing number), or hear a song that's a little too loud and a little too punk. His family would like to leave you with some words from one of his favorite bands, Flogging Molly: If I ever leave this world alive I'll thank for all the things you did in my life If I ever leave this world alive I'll come back down and sit beside your feet tonight Wherever I am you'll always be More than just a memory If I ever leave this world alive.
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