Nick Dovolis Online Tribute and Memorial Website

Memories of Nick Dovolis

Got the time

Mike Baron Jan 13, 2011

Nick D drove out to Fort Collins, CO to stay with me 1998. By the end of the trip he knew more people in my dorm than I did. The man taught me how to live in the moment better than anyone I've ever known. He was a real friend and I miss very much.

One time in middle school his band covered the songs "got the time" by Anthrax and "Thunderkiss 65" by White Zombie. Durning the guitar solo on one of the songs, Nick D slammed the Mic down, jumped off stage and charged right into me and started an epic mosh pit. Then as he scrambbled to get back to the stage he slipped on some root beer and landed on his ass. He refered to the move as a "bundy", in honor of Al Bundy, and said it anytime we saw anyone fall down. I still say the term "bundy" in my head when I see people fall over because of that. Heres a link to one of the songs. Picture Nick D belting out the lyrics and it'll bring a smile to your face.

Miss you brother.
Mike B

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdD2Spp26vs

Alex Braden (Jan 13, 2011)

This is a great story, Mike. I was actually the drummer in Nick D's middle school band (we were called "Spork", in the unlikely event that you'd forgotten). I don't specifically recall the bundy incident, but I can certainly picture it happening. Although your note gives the impression that Spork tended toward the heavier end of the early '90s rock spectrum, one of our staple jams was The Spin Doctors' classic "Two Princes." We used to practice in my basement, and when we rehearsed this song my parents would sneak downstairs to eavesdrop as Nick hollered, with unbridled gusto and a joyful disregard for conventional intonation, "Be-doo-be-doop-be-doo-be-doop-be-doo-be-doo-be-doo-be-doo-boo-da-ba-dee-boo-da-ba," etc. Invariably, the rest of the band, and my mom and dad (having scurried back upstairs) would bust out laughing, not so much because Nick's rendition was unitentionally hilarious (which it was), but because the completely un-self-conscious pleasure he took in making a happy noise was totally infectious. After a short while, Spork split up -as all the great bands do- and Nick and I didn't spend so much time together anymore, but for years after the fact, my parents would always talk about what a warm, engaging kid Nick was and how impressed they were that this teenage boy would actually go out of his way to strike up a friendly conversation with them whenever he came over for band practice. When my folks and I heard about Nick's passing, we were terribly sad, of course, and we got to reminiscing a little about those days so many years ago. It wasn't long before someone brought up "Two Princes" and we all found ourselves laughing at the memory. Mike, it's nice to hear that the sight (and sound) of Nick making a happy noise had the same effect on you. -Alex

Nick D

Ted Buselmeier Jul 27, 2009

Nick D the funny Greek,
Friend to all folks and freaks,
Nick D, always a smile on this face,
A warm "hello" for the whole human race,
Nick D. gives that special look,
Makes me feel #1 in his book,
NIck D, thank you for all your love,
I'll keep an eye out for you up above.

.....Nicky and I went through thick and thin together- he always had a positive attitude through it all, even when I went off the deep end. Nick's love saved me through many scrapes and his warm heart comforted me in my most troubling times. After many failed experiments, laughter ended up being the best medicine after all. I love you Nicky.

My Dear Cousin, Nick

Jim Boosalis Aug 12, 2008

Nick was one of a kind. He always had a kind word with that engaging smile. He really had a gentle soul.
In our Greek family, it is a tradition that the groom has a golf tournament outing for the wedding party and invited guests. My wedding tournament was July 16, 2004. I selected Nick on my team because he was a real joy and a lot of fun to play with for 18 holes of golf. Also, Nick was a great partner to calm me down before the altar festivities. The groom's team is always the last group to tee off in the wedding tournament. As the round progressed, we heard that 9 under was leading the "scramble" in the clubhouse! Nick took our team on his shoulders and we played his ball for the remaining 5 holes to win the tournament by one shot. At the 19'th hole celebration, I thanked Nick for his marvelous play down the stretch on the final holes. Nick turned to me a said, "Cousin Jim a.k.a. Metoo... I refused to let you lose your wedding tournament. The groom never loses!" With that, Nick flashed his winning smile and our team received the 1'st place trophy! I played numerous rounds of golf with Nick at Interlachen C.C. and each shot and round were very memorable. We always talked and compared the "latest & greatest" in golf club technology.
Nick knew the true meaning of family. He was a great cousin and friend! Our "Niata" family will miss him greatly. We love you, Nick!!!!! May Your Memory be Eternal...
Love, Jim Boosalis from TN.

a good friend

steve pittman Jul 30, 2008

i can't think of nicky without thinking first of that big grin he always carried around, that alone could change your day. match that with his larger than life persona and the guy was just off the charts.

i was so lucky to share many memories with nicky, from meeting him at St. T's and then sharing a house with him at Marshall and Moore, attending graduation together, our little stint in the construction biz (That's Josh Hartnett's House!), laughing at the most outrageous curly blond haired mullet ever seen at the Cabooze, i could go on and on.

every time i think of what nick was up to on a day to day basis, i couldn't help but giggle a little. nick had an aura he carried with him that made everyone feel like a friend. one good story from nick (the best at it i've ever known) would have everyone rolling on the floor, wiping the tears away.

nick was a good and special friend and i am lucky to have known him. we'll all miss you.

My Memory

Pat Addy Jul 26, 2008

Nick and I met at Orientation before Freshman year at St. Thomas. We each had huge personalities that did not know how to blend at first. As time went on, they figured out how to blend. We had the best of times together!
We golfed together. We played foosball together. We walked together from house to house, to house to house. Nick had so many friends and was ALWAYS welcome, or even expected to grace people with his presence.
I will remember the"Mansion on Marshall", the lowertown lofts in downtown St. Paul, Selby-Dale, and Edina.

I will NEVER forget spending Christmas Day with the Dovolis family!! I was unable to make it down to Omaha to be with my family for Christmas in 2003. My friend Nick was there for me. He called and insisted that I spend Christmas with his family and friends. That really meant a lot to me. Thanks!
I will always remember the Farmers Market and Rudolph's.

I will always remember sitting around with Nick and watching the "Greatest Outfield Assists" major league highlight video. WOW! We were both so amazed...and actually were able to stay put long enough to watch the entire thing.

I will always remember watching Don Rickets comedy and belting out laughs with Nick. I think the neighbors are still trying to get over the loud laughter noise...

I will always remember trading stories about Entrepreneurship classes, faculty, and students. I will always remember the Canterbury Dance in Shakopee. I will always remember joking about people's "salads". We loved "charing" stories with one another. I enjoyed all of Nick's "NICK-names" for people. What a smart and crafty man!

"Get to know 'em"
These were great words Nick spoke. He was ambitious in getting to know EVERYONE he met. He had so many friends because he got to know everybody.

Miss you! You will always be Addy's Chronie!

Thanks for being Nic D,

The Gentleman from Nebraska, Pat Addy

My Memory

Wendy Miller Jul 25, 2008

I was friends with Nick at St. Thomas. He was so much fun to be around. I hung out with Nick my last night in MN after graduation and he was wearing a hot pink linen blazer. I haven't talked to Nick since then, but I was hanging out in a bar in Missoula, MT last summer and met some guy who had gone to St. Thomas for one year and knew Nick. I think everyone at St. Thomas knew and loved him. He was a celebrity.

Could Never Forget

josh bergeron Jul 25, 2008

I am so proud to say that I have known Nick for 20 years. I was eight when Nik Kouzes first was invited to attend St. Mary's Greek camp. I was the only Jewish kid (ever, I think) to be a camper and didn't know if I was goin to fit in or have fun. Not more than a day into the week Nick Dovolis had me rolling with laughter and feeling more than welcome. Nick helped to make sure that I felt like I belonged there. I had so much fun that first year that I kept going back year after year till we were too old to be campers. I have so many blessed memories from those weeks at camp and all the good times Nick and I and others had after camp.

Nick was just so good at relating to people and bringing them together. Whenever I hung out with Nick it was a good time, I honestly can't remember having a bad time with him. I am thankful and honored to have been his friend and will always cherish the fun we had together...

Man I love that guy

Marea Checheris Jul 25, 2008

I think I'm one of about 500 people who considered Nick to be one of their best friends. I think I've known him since a month after I was born and I am proud and lucky to have grown up with him. There was something about the way that he could make a person feel. No matter how bad you felt about something, as soon as he walked into a room you were instantly comforted and happy just knowing he was there.
He had his own struggles yet he was always there to talk me down from many a ledge over the years. His smile and his laugh were enough to make your darkest days so much brighter.
We are all lucky to have known him, to have loved him, and to have been touched by his wit, wisdom, and love.
I'll never get the chance to tell him thank you in this life again, but I hope that where ever he is now, he knows how much he'll be missed. And I'll take whatever comfort I can get knowing that I'll see him again on the other side.
I'll love you forever, Nicky. You were one hell of an honorary brother. And a huge shining star in all of our lives.
Love, Marea

"Game Show"

Eric Host Jul 25, 2008

My name is Eric Host and I met Nick through a friend (John Krieger) of a cousin (Josh Hanson). I think I am a perfect example of the impact that Nick had on the people he came in contact with. I have been fortunate enough to know Nick through an annual Family/Friends golf tourney called the HAKM. Every year I make confim with cousin John that Nick is going to be there. This is because he singlehandedly makes the fun golf weekend even better. This was envident a couple years back when Nick did not make it to the HAKM. It was evident that there was a critical component missing that weekend and it was Nick. My thoughts and prayers go out to Nick's friends and family. Nick you will truly be misses by all.

Show Stopper!

Tom Loftus Jul 24, 2008

I met Nick through my brother Joe a number of times and my most vivid memories of him are from my brother's wedding. We were both best men at the wedding and we both were to give toasts at the reception after the wedding. I was picked as the "best man" officially but I knew that giving a toast knowing that Nick would give one was a very tall order. The only thing I could do was opt to go first so I wouldn't have to attempt to follow what I knew to be a great speech. He prepared well and I could see him making notes as the wedding entourage made its way to the reception. Any of those who heard the speech know that it was a smart move to go first for me. Nick delivered one of the best speeches given at a wedding or any other function at that. It was creative, hilarious and thoughtful. From my experiences with him, I think those three words ring the most true. He cared deeply about his friends and lived life with passion.

One other quick memory that had me chuckle a bit was also in relation to Joe's wedding. We rented tuxes at Men's Warehouse who have a slogan that goes "You'll love the way you look. I guarantee it." Nick constantly repeated this phrase about himself and about how others looked great. Some people can't use the same joke over and over without it getting old. Every time Nick made the joke, I laughed. It was impossible not to.

My Memory

Eleni Michailidis Gajewski Jul 24, 2008

The laughter and the smile, and the green hat, and always, the Batcave at camp. Nick has been a blessing in our lives, reminding us to be kind to each other and enjoy the moments. Thank you for all you have taught us, Nick, and for bringing us all together all those years. Eternal Memory.

The Entertainer

Liz Rossini Jul 24, 2008

When I think about Nick, I have one strong picture in my mind: his super-slick shoes. No matter what he was wearing, dress pants or lounge clothes, he always seemed to be wearing beautiful Italian leather shoes with no socks! My memories are strongest in that (sorry guys) messy, gross college house on Marshall. It was like a frat house but with no house mom. Nick and his fancy-schamancy shoes. (Gives me the giggles!)

Another fantastic memory: Jessica and Joe’s wedding, The Toast. He had the whole crowd rolling on the floor and crying with laughter! He was such a great speaker, very creative and witty.

And, I’ll always appreciate how generous he was socially. He made a point to talk to everybody, make everybody feel welcome and comfortable.

I miss you, Nick!