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Nick Fuss died Wednesday, February 16, 2022 in Nelson, BC. He was 37 years old.
Nick was born on August 30, 1984 in Nelson, BC to Len and Cathy Fuss. He was the middle child with an older brother, Brendan, and a younger brother, Darren.
Nick attended Rosemont Elementary School, Trafalgar Junior Secondary School and LV Rogers Secondary School. He graduated from LV Rogers Secondary School in 2002.
After graduation, Nick wasn’t ready to commit to post secondary education so he worked to earn enough money to travel to Australia where he spent 3 months travelling solo on the Gold Coast. This was an excellent experience and upon returning to Nelson, he decided he wanted to enrol in the Contemporary Music program at Selkirk College. Now, Nick had many years of piano under his belt however he chose guitar as his instrument for the program. He had only learned to play the guitar after graduating from LVR so there was some angst that he would be accepted into the program.
He was accepted and went on to earn a two year Composition Diploma and then did an additional year to earn the Production Diploma. When Nick put his mind to doing something he worked hard to reach his goal. He graduated from Selkirk College in April 2006 with Honours.
Nick also realized that it is extremely difficult to earn a living as a musician so in the summer of 2006 he applied to the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Victoria and was accepted for the fall session of 2006. He was as passionate about the environment as he was about his music.
Nick was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree with Distinction in May 2011 along with a Diploma in Restoration of Natural Systems.
After graduating from the University of Victoria, Nick chose to return to the West Kootenay and promptly moved to the north end of Kootenay Lake. He lived in Argenta and Johnsons Landing until February 2020.
During those years, Nick was part of the band “Red Eyed Soul” and spent many years playing and recording with his fellow band mates. He also performed briefly with The Steve Brockley Band. Nick was a prolific song writer and released two albums under his own name.
In December 2019, we could see that Nick was struggling with mental health issues which resulted in a move back to Nelson in February 2020. It was a long and painful journey for him as no treatment seemed to bring him any relief. He had an amazing mental health support team however the mental and physical anguish became too much for him to bear.
He ended his life on the morning of February 16, 2022. He is now free from pain even though those of us who remain are grieving deeply.
Nick had so many amazing friends who were there for him and we are profoundly grateful for their love and support. We believe he stayed with us longer because of the support and encouragement from his friends and family.
Nicholas (Nick) is survived by this parents, Leonard and Cathy Fuss, brother, Brendan Fuss, and brother Darren (Mackenzie) Fuss as well as his grandmother, Lydia Fuss.
His extended family includes his aunts, Nea Ellingsen, Judy Johnson, Carol McLean, Marion (Jim) Damiani, Heather (Greg) Berreth and uncle Terry (Nancy) Blair. Cousins who will miss him are David Ellingsen, Graham Ellingsen, Shane Funk, Gillian McLean, David McLean, Karen McLean, Chelsea Blair, Arianna Blair, Galen Blair, Lorenzo Damiani, Alexa Damiani, Lauren Berreth, Reed Berreth and Ross Berreth.
Nick was predeceased by his grandparents, Archie and Minnie Blair and Reinhold Fuss as well as his uncles, Barry Blair and Marc Fuss.
Nicholas will be buried in the Nelson Memorial Cemetery with a private graveside service. There will be a celebration of life in the early summer.
Donations may be made to the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital Foundation (Daly Pavilion), 1200 Hospital Bench, Trail, BC, V1R 4M1 or the Kootenay Lake Hospital Foundation, 3 View St, Nelson, BC, V1L 2V1.
A Young Life Cut Short
Do not judge a song by its duration
Nor by the number of its notes
Judge it by the richness of its contents
Sometimes those unfinished are among the most poignant…
Do not judge a song by its duration
Nor by the number of its notes
Judge it by the way it touches and lifts the soul
Sometimes those unfinished are among the most beautiful…
And when something has enriched your life
And when it’s melody lingers on in your heart.
Is it unfinished?
Or is it endless?
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Nicholas Fuss August 30 1984
February 16 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Nelson, Province: Colombie britanique