Nicholas Francis Hubert

I met Nick through a mutual friend and like everyone else who knew him, I know that I met someone truly special and regret that I'll never meet anyone like him again. Even though he's passed on, I know that his memory, his vibe, his love, his friendship and his way of being will be with us forever.

Nick & I used to talk for hours every day and share just about everything about each other's lives. I'd vent to him and he did the same to me. It's impossible to summarize our Nick and our friendship in a page online in a message short enough to keep the attention of the reader because Nick was so much more than someone you write about. He's someone that touches your life in ways you never knew someone could. I speak in the present tense because, as we all know, Nick will live on with us forever.

We shared stories and laughter that I'll never forget and I'll carry with me forever the love that he shared with me and all his friends.

 

I miss you so much Nick. I check your Myspace and this page all the time just to get another connection to you. I hope to see you again someday. Hold my spot up there.

 

I love you.

I miss you.

I'll remember you forever.

 

Ana Montes

I worked with Nick for a brief time in San Diego.  While he was out west, he and I spent some time talking about how things were on the east and west coasts- I grew up in Massachuesetts and moved out to San Diego in the year 2000 and am still here.  One of the things I enjoy about it here is the comfortable year-round weather that allows you to be outside almost every day, and living near the beach I've gotten into surfing.  Nick was interested in giving it a try so one day we grabbed a couple of my boards and went out on the water in Pacific Beach, San Diego, at the northernmost end of the beach called Tourmaline Surf Park.  There's a picture of Nick on this website holding a surfboard; I took this photo of him that day just outside of the apartment I was living in at the time. 

We took the surfboards and walked the few blocks from my apartment down to the beach.  He went right in and had a really good time trying to figure it out.  The waves were a couple feet high or so- not too big and great for learning.  I've only been doing it a handful of years and am probably not the best teacher, but gave him a few tips on what works for me on how to paddle into a wave and stand up on the board...he got some good ones, took some spills, paddled around and figured out how to balance on the board, and his face was generally all smiles mixed with the look of determination whether he stood up on a wave, fell off, or just sat floating in the ocean enjoying the scene. I will say though he didn't spend much time floating- he was very intent on getting it going and spent most of the time catching or trying to catch wave after wave.   

Although we had hoped to get out there again, unfortunately we only got out there once together.  Nick flew back to Philly shortly after that, as he was only visiting San Diego short term.  He was a good man with a good spirit- energetic, good-natured, friendly, and fun.

dear nick , i knew you thru your friendship with my son buddy( brent) and my daughter michele. i remember a young man with a ready smile, kind word and open heart. i remember one time when in a panic i called you looking for buddy - only to find he was being held in "the tombs" in new york somewhere. i remember you and i driving all over new york trying to find it- getting lost , finally getting there only to be told we wouldnt be allowed to retrieve neither him nor my car. your willingness and kind words to a panicked mom will never be forgotten. michele chose you as a god father for her daughter rebecca in 1997 - i remember the pride in your face as you held that baby and promised her that you would stand for her forever.  distance, death , nothing changes that vow. love endures, you may not be physically standing here but we both know that now you have a better view of the paths her life will take and i am confident that you will forever both follow and guide her in her lifes choices. forever you will be  the Godfather of my granddaughter, a friend to my children and a child of my heart.  - kathy

Nick and I worked together at Trauner Consulting.  I had just started at this job and my employers said I would be sitting next to a guy from our Phili office.  I must admit, I wasn't too excited because I was afraid that I would be stuck sitting next to someone rude or unexciting.  God truly proved me wrong.  When Monday rolled by, I walked into the office and Nick was there with a big smile.  He introduced himself and we quickly became good buddies.  Sometimes I would get sleepy at work and he would be my look out guy warning me if anyone was coming down the hall so I could nap for 5 minutes.  He kept every single day he was here in California fun and interesting.  We would have so many insightful conversations about our lives, religion and people.  As time went by, he wasn't just my coworker but really a friend. 

 

The day he left California, I wrote him a letter.  I think it concisely described what he meant to me as a friend:

 

March 16, 2007

 

I think I'm going to be really sad that you're leaving—mostly because you've been a huge blessing in my life. It is really nice to have a friend to chat with every day—whose real and can talk about real things every day. I enjoyed those serious and goofy conversations we've had. Although we've had the steeper moments in our friendship (I.e. paper ball in my face), I've enjoyed every moment of your visit to Cal.  I think you really have a gift to reach out to people and I see how you affect them. They really feel comfortable and feel like they can be themselves when around you (me being one of those people).  I know that God put you in my life to brighten my days:)

 

:) Grace

 

Even after Nick left California, we still kept in contact.  He genuinely cared about my life.  I am so thankful for your friendship and I will miss you a lot. 

 

Three years ago, maybe four, I had talked to Nick and told him about the speed dating group I was with, and we decided to go to one together, since if it stunk at least we could hang out.  We both got there and each talked to about eight women (you switch around after 3 minutes or so).  Well, turned out we both liked the same girl!  After the speed date, you go on a website and check off who you liked and find out if anyone matched you.

I got about two matches.  Nick had about six...including the girl I liked!

I told my mom later that I wouldn't go with Nick anymore because he made me look bad.   Of course, Nick didn't deliberately do that, people just liked him for the same reason I loved him, because he was a great guy.

By the way, although they dated a few times and nothing huge came out of that, Nick and that girl (Laura, IIRC) remained friends, and he still had her number on his cell.

I'll always love you, Nick.