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
Chris Collins
Bruce and Cyndi Wittet
Our hearts go out to the family.
Carolyn Fysh
I am heartbroken to lose my nephew, Nick. I am sending love from Michael and I to all.
Julian Tagliavento
My deepest condolences to the entire family. Nicks loss is heartbreaking.
Michelle Tilley
Dear John and Nina - Such a devastating loss, you have my deepest sympathy. Although with twins you had double the trouble, I remember commiserating with John over the challenges of raising teenage boys. Take good care.
Kevin MacLean
It was with great shock and sadness that I learned of Nick’s passing through the GGFG next. Similar to others I knew Nick through his service with the GGFG since his enrolment in the fall of 2003 and got to know him better when he commissioned in 2007.
I will remember him for his dedication to the Regiment and focus on the operational readiness of individual soldiers and that of the rifle company which he commanded up to his untimely death. We can only hope that his example of leadership and dedication is imitated by all that continue to serve.
To his family; his dad John, who I worked with at NDHQ, wife Cassie and daughter Anna my sincere condolences as we share our grief over his untimely passing.
Ryan & Jessica Licari
So sorry to hear the tragic news. Our condolences go out to the whole family.
Keith Reichert
I am heartbroken for Nick's family and friends. My deepest condolences go to all who mourn his passing. I was lucky enough to work with Nick off and on over a few years, directly and indirectly, over the lest decade. I admired Nick as a professional and a leader who made the organizations and teams he was a part of better than they were without him. He made me feel a part of the team, and I am grateful for having had the opportunity to know him. He leaned into the job, being interested in getting to the positive result. He was a light that was extinguished too soon. Again, my deepest condolences to all who mourn Nick, particularly his family and friends. He will be remembered.
To Cassie and Anna, and all…
To Cassie and Anna, and all those who knew nick, I’m deeply sorry for your unfathomable loss.
Nick and I went to summer camp together in cadets many many years ago, and shared close mutual friends, so we spent a lot of our childhoods together.
Time, distance, and the craziness of life meant we didn’t see each other often, but when we did, it was like no time passed at all. Seeing him around town with Anna was magical - he was so proud of his girls and had such lovely things to say about being a husband and father. I’m proud to have known Nick, and grateful that he was such an important part of my youth.
Sleep well, pilgrim.
Lynn and Bill Stern
I met two year old Nick when I joined a play group in 1988. He and his brother Alex were energetic and fun loving. One of my fondest memories was the super special Pirate Birthday Party. John and Nina pulled out all the stops on this celebration!
Through the years I followed Nick's accomplishments and was always impressed by his determination and drive to succeed. He put his heart into everything he did, but especially to his role as a husband and father.
Our deepest condolences go out to Cassie and Anna and all of your families.
I was so sorry to hear about Nick.
I had the privilege of being one of Nick's officers at 51 Sqn all those years ago. He was a lovely young man and a pleasure to have in the Unit. Always reliable, hard working, and an incredible role model for the younger cadets. It is no surprise to me that he grew up to be such a wonderful human being.