Ahh retirement, and what that meant to Nick was showing Ann the world. Visiting the many places he had visited during his navy career and that the two of them had studied together when they first met in college, in geograhy class. Nick visited over 85 countries in his life and most of the states in our own country that he loved so much. His favorite state will always be Wyoming. His favorite foreign city was London and favorite country was Switzerland.
Nick and (Jerry) Ann met at University of Wyoming. After graduation Nick left to go to officer training school and Ann to teach Kindergarten. Not long apart, they were married the following summer July 11, 1964.
The Navy took them around the United States, Long Beach, CA, Corpus Christi, TX, Honolulu, HI, Glenco, GA, San Diego, CA. Along the journey they became parents to Shannon, Michelle and Jennifer.
After leaving active duty in 1974, and joining the reserve they settled into life in Torrington, WY close to home for both of them. They owned two businesses, Smith's Cleaners and Mort's Laundry. They built a life for themselves and their girls in this quiet town. Nick was a great dad and taught his daughters many things from how to change a tire and check the oil in their cars to thinking of others first, sharing, and trying to gain in wisdom and understanding. He retired from navy reserve in 1991 and sold the businesses in 1997.
Nick was a long time member of several service organizations joining the Lions and Knights of Columbus clubs which he was still attending anytime he was back in Torrington.
Nick joined the Navy, needing his parents signature because he was not yet 18. He attended Great Lakes Naval Training Center for bootcamp and was then sent to Oklahoma for aviation electronics school. Following a number of certifications he was assigned to his first duty station. He was the radio operator and electronic technician aboard MATS flights from California To Saudi Arabia and returns visiting the Phillipines, India, and many other stops along the way. After 4 years active duty he left for navy reserve while he obtained his bachelors degree. Returning to active duty he received his commission as an Ensign in 1963. He then served on active duty until 1974 and was assigned to various billets including: an air officer flying off aircraft carriers Yorktown and Kittyhawk over Viet Nam; aide to an admiral at the advanced training command; west pacific central security base in Hawaii; and CIC officer aboard the Bennington. Nick then transferred to the reserve and after 36 years of total service rising through the ranks retired as a Navy Captain.
Nick was born and raised in Laramie, Wyoming. He lived with his Mother (Evelyn), Father (CD), Brother (Owen) and his Maternal Grandmother.
Nick loved the movies, watching the news reels, cartoons, and serial movies almost every week.
To support his love of films he started with a daily paper route that expanded to three daily routes. With his new found "wealth" , although limited; he became aware of those less fortunate and started a lifelong tradition of helping others. He also realized that money is not always the answer and shared his time and talents with those in need whenever he could.
Nick was independant leaving home during the summers, first when he was 14 to work as a ranch hand and then as a lifeguard and pool manager in the mountains near Grand Tetons when he was 15 and 16.
He graduated from Laramie High School at the age of 17, after collecting friends he would have for a lifetime. Seeking adventure and a good job he tried work in the oil fields, but soon determined he should move farther a field and joined the Navy at the age of 17.
