Robert Andrew Nick

After lighting up every room he walked into, beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother Robert Andrew Nick, age 81, of Lincoln Park, passed away Sunday, February 9, 2025.

Bobber, as he was known to those who loved him, passed quietly in his sleep after spending the day surrounded by his wife, children, grandchildren, family, music that he was moving his feet to, laughter and plenty of love.

Spending time with his family was Bob’s favorite thing, especially his grandkids (Sophia, Jake, Andrew, Taylor, Brandon and McKenna) as Pa loved going to their games, taking them on boat rides, eating their food and pushing their faces into their birthday cake.

His children, Yolanda Weiner (Marc), Robert Nick and Melissa Majocha (Tom) witnessed Bob transform from a disciplinarian to a man who would cry while reading the simplest of birthday cards. He was so proud of who they have become and just wanted to talk and laugh with them and the rest of the family, whether it was the Saturday morning group breakfast, dressing up and winning cornhole every year at the annual theme party, playing blackjack deep into the night or going to Lake George - unless there was a NASCAR race on. If you planned an event at the same time as a race, he would be there but he wouldn’t be happy about it.

This kind of behavior began in Passaic, NJ as the first child to the late Andrew and Lee Nick (Sakas) was born on May 15, 1943. Bob’s favorite place to be as a child was the family farm in Livingstonville, NY, where he would be from the moment school ended in June until it started again in September. He was proud of how surprised everyone in town was when he rolled in driving the family tractor by himself at the age of 12.

The self-proclaimed “Country Boy” proudly served in the US Army 7th Special Forces and loved to talk about his jumps and PLF’s. (Inside joke)

Bob tortured his two siblings for as long as he could, introducing his younger brother Roger Nick (Terri) as his older brother and annoying his sister Denise Budzynski (Jack, deceased) every time he used his favorite phrase, “Your sister’s ass.”

After 20 years working in trucking, Bob moved over to buses before “retiring” to the Wayne Board of Education, as a school bus driver. His love and commitment to his special needs students earned him multiple Perfect Attendance awards and the nickname “Captain Bob”. Those kids were the topic of conversation at dinner each night and his boss repeatedly told Bob he wished he had ten of him.

Wherever Bob was, it was never far from his wife of over 26 years, Liz. His partner in crime had the tall task of keeping him in line. On some occasions when Bobber may have had a bit too much to drink, he would wake up to find his face painted or toenails polished as a reminder that Liz made sure he made it home safe and sound.

Bob loved his yearly drive from New Jersey to Florida with his best friend, Ron, as the two wreaked havoc up and down the East Coast, including a broken rib or two.

While he never got to see his Vikings win a Super Bowl, he watched many Yankees championships and whoever had the best team in college football was suddenly his favorite team so between that and a family that loved him so much, he had plenty of chances to show off that million dollar smile.

Bobber has gone fishing, his other favorite pastime, and you can wish him well on his next journey.