“Food-Something for which there is no sincerer love” Male 26 years old California United States Last Login: 4/29/2008
Mood: energetic

Nick’s Saab’s own MySpace, of course…

XasshMobile

Female 16 years old Mission Viejo, CALIFORNIA United States Last Login: 2/7/2008

Southern California SAAB Club remembers Nick Braley

Nick sure loved his Saab and loved being an active participant in the So Cal Saab Club Forum. And it’s clear that he too was loved by the club members. The powerful words spoken at Nick’s memorial service by one of his Saab buddies will remain with me forever. Thank you!

Nick Braley with his Saab 900 Turbo

Nick Braley & Lori Sylvester (cousin) in sunglasses

Nick Braley & Lori Sylvester (cousin)

Lori Sylvester visits from Maine

Nicholas Alexander Braley
November 29, 1981 - May 3, 2008

Nick’s online gaming friends Jennifer, Jerry, Josh, and Richard drove up from San Diego to the Memorial Service and reception afterward where I got a chance to get to know them a bit and hear their memories of how Nick was and remains a part of their life. Stories of how he was so well liked. Stories of how he was there when someone needed something - anything. And stories of how he amazed them by the amount of food he ate at the yearly barbeques. And the story of his culinary culture shock that brought him to tears when he experienced authentic spicy food. Okay, so he lead a sheltered life growing up in New England. I never took him aside to tell him about bell peppers, sweet peppers, and hot peppers.

I was humbled when I read, “One thing I can say that was sad when his dad approached us. He stood like nick and had the same smile.”
- Thank you

Eli Braley (brother), Nick, and Lizz Braley (sister)

Within a day of Lizz’s graduation from high school.

Merle Braley (dad) & Nick Braley (son)

Hanging out, looking cool with an attitude - or trying anyway - at Lizz’s high school graduation in Mission Viejo, CA.

The following letter began to unfold as a series of questions that I scribbled in my Moleskine notebook during the long flight from Boston to LA only a few hours after Joan (Nick’s mother) called to tell me of Nick’s fatal motorcycle accident. Later I discussed those questions and my experiences I had on the flight with Nick’s brother and friends Eli, Everett, Katrina, Juan, and Steven(?.) It was healing to spend time with them and hear how much they loved him. We shared silence, stories, tears, prayers and smiles as we took some time to comfort and be comforted. We planted miniature roses in the sandy soil on the very spot where Nick left his body and this world so unexpectedly.

Ortega Highway

Roses for Nick

Before the service I walked down to the beach to spend some time with my thoughts and the mahogany cremation urn with Nick’s ashes. I joined a group gathering for wedding photos in the gazabo and balanced the shoulder bag carrying the urn on the pipe rail. I stood looking out over the ocean and urn for some time before returning up the hill to the small church on Cedar Street where I placed the urn with Nick’s ashes and a picture of Nick on the alter near at the front of the church just minutes before the memorial service began.

On my way up the hill, my cell phone rang. It was Shirl asking me where I was. She came down to meet me, and we walked quietly together up the hill, to the church.

Here is a copy of the program for Nick’s memorial service.