It is with great sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved Nick, due to an unexplained medical event.
Nick is survived by his wife Cassie Licari and his daughter Anna. He is also survived by his parents John and Nina (Budowski) Fysh. He will be greatly missed by his twin brother Alex and his sister-in-law Sylvie Recoskie and his niece Stella. He will also be missed by Cassie’s family, Larry and Joan Licari, Jenny (Licari) and Colin Richardson and their children Cameron and Charlotte, and Laura (nee Licari) and Justin Cooke and their children Nora and Avery.
Nick was a beautiful, old soul who brought us all so much happiness and joy and was such a bright light in our lives. Nick was a wonderful husband to the love of his life and best friend, Cassie. Nick was an amazing Dad to his daughter Anna. They were two peas in a pod. Nick was a warm, gentle, patient, and loving father and was always passionately teaching Anna new things. Nick loved to go for walks, spend time outdoors, travel, and explore new places and things with Anna and Cassie. Nick also adored his good friend, siamese cat, Oliver. We know Nick is sitting somewhere in front of a fire with a good book, while watching over his family.
At the age of 12 , Nick joined the 51 Air Cadet Squadron based in the Canada Air and Space Museum. At 17, he joined the Governor Generals Foot Guard. He stayed with the GGFG through his university education. At 20, he was commissioned as an officer in the GGFG and was eventually promoted to Lieutenant. Upon completion of his degree in International Relations, he transferred to the Regular Force as a Lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment in Petawawa. Upon promotion to Captain, he was posted to Halifax during which he did a six month tour in Afghanistan. He then returned to the regiment in Petawawa. Upon promotion to Major he was posted to Ottawa and worked as a staff officer at CANOFCOM HQ. In 2020, Nick made the decision to leave the Regular Force to become a public servant in the Department of National Defence. At the same time, he transferred back to the GGFG as a reservist. He quickly became a popular and dedicated company commander. He was an avid amateur military historian and collector of military history books. On Remembrance Day, Nick made it a practice to go to the local Legion branch and visit with veterans.
Nick was fiercely loyal to his friends. If he decided you were his friend, you were a friend for life. He also had a keen sense of justice. Nick was an avid fan of rugby. He joined the Cairine Wilson S.S. boys rugby team in his first year of high school. In his last two years of high school he was the team captain. He actively supported the the establishment of Cairine Wilson S.S. girls rugby team.
A private family funeral service and burial will be held at the Beechwood Cemetery. A celebration of Nick’s life is being planned and details will be announced at a later date. Please provide your contact details should wish to attend the celebration of life to “celebration.for.nick@gmail.com’.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Nick’s honour to Soldier On, to the Canadian War Museum , or to a charity of your choice.
Digital Guestbook
Kunle Fajimi
Libby Passmore
Your Clendenning cousins down in Kent County mourn this unexpected loss. Our hearts go out to John & Nina, Alex, Cassie & Anna and the extended family. You are in our prayers.
Adam Murray
Sorry, my Freind. I appreciated short our time together. My condolence to the family, I am truly sorry for all you. If there is anything that I can do to help please contact me. Adam.murray@forces.gc.ca
Nathan Richards
I knew Nick through the time we spent together during our AOC and it holds a special place in my heart. Nick's infectious spirit and his unforgettable, if slightly tone-deaf, rendition of Taylor Swift during Karaoke at the Tir Nan Og are etched in my memory. It's those moments of laughter and camaraderie that made our AOC experience truly unforgettable.
Nick, you may no longer be here with us in our AOC world, but your memory and the joy you brought into our lives will live on in our hearts. Rest easy, my friend.
Sean & Kelly
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours during these difficult days.
Time won't heal all, it does teach us how to live with the pain. We are so deeply sorry for your loss. Nick was a good soldier, a good shot and a good friend.
He will be truly missed; never forgotten.
Sean and Kelly
Max Peetsma
Dear Cassie, Anna,
My name is Max and I was fortunate to work with Nick for a few years. The first thing he did was to offer to mentor me when things calmed down at work. Things are never calm in our line of work, but true to his word, Nick made the time to teach me and the other new staff officers some lessons that we still use today. Nick was a authentic leader who cared for those around him and respected their dignity. No doubt he was an even better husband and father.
My family sends our deepest condolences to yours in this time of grief. We will donate to charity in Nick's honour and offer to help in any other way we can.
MGen (Ret) Sylvain Sirois
It is only through the eyes and heart of his father John that I knew Nick. John was immensely proud of Nick, his journey, his accomplishments and his bright future, as a professional and as a loving father and husband.
I wish to express my sincere condolences to all family members and friends.
Nicholas Curcumelli-Rodostamo
I was in command of the Governor General’s Foot Guards when Nick joined. We became friends when he returned to The Regiment (me long retired) and bonded over our shared interests in reading, , and in our strong senses of justice. We had great conversations on our shared views of world events, our philosophies on leadership and training, and about books we’d both read. Among his many legacies, he brought to reality a long standing dream of mine - the creation of a library in the GGFG Officers’ Mess. I feel his loss and will miss him often, particularly when he’s not there to sit with at a Mess Dinner, when events pass in the world I know we would have talked about, and when I look at the bookshelves and see the titles we discussed. My thoughts are with his family and his beautiful little Anna. I shall remember him.
Gary & Sue Licari
It is with heavy heart and extreme sadness that we extend our most sincere condolences to Cassie & Anna and their family. Nick was a wonderful man and so full of life. We know he will be sorely missed but remember he will live on in your hearts.
Clifford Snell
Pro Patria
Nick - it's with heavy heart I write this but God knows best ! I knew you as a colleague for a short period of time which I can describe you as a "gentle and patient" person. God bless your soul and I pray that God comfort and keep your entire family at this time.