Nick

Memorial service:
11am, Saturday, January 19th 2008
Christ the King Episcopal Church
Cello player Daria Joanna, graduate of the Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw, Poland will be performing.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations of any size to the Christ the King Episcopal Church at 6490 Carr St., Arvada, CO 80004.
Any inquiries can be directed to Brett Kelley or Andrew Pomeroy.

    We would like everyone to know that the church is expecting a huge turn-out for Nick. If any or all would like to bring something for the reception, they are more than welcome to. Whatever they would like to make, or pick-up (chicken, KFC, casseroles, cakes, pies, etc...) I have helped Buena with basic menu ideas and where to buy or order certain items, but we have no idea how many people will show up.
        Thanks,
            -Delores Quaratino

Please feel free to put your respects and any pictures into an e-mail and send it to justinmead1@gmail.com to have them posted on this page for other friends and family to view.
An online guest book has been created as a tribute to Nick to also capture memories and condolences.

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Nick has a very special place for me because he was basically the reason that I met the love of my life and my 13 year relationship with Jenn. The thing about Nick for me was that it didn't matter whether it had been 1 year, or 2 days between the last time that we had seen each other, we always just picked up where we left off with a lot of laughs and discussions about all of the fun and crazy places and times he had had traveling all over the world. Always talking about when our next show will be together and arguing that the revolution of music is not dead. Nick, you traveled and lived the type of life that most of us don't have the balls to live, you lived more than anyone that I know. You were taken too soon for sure, but a little comfort for me is that I know you enjoyed your time here very much.
We will miss you greatly,

I met Nick and Andrew after first speaking with their father going back I'm sure some 14 or more years ago. Like most everyone weighing in here, I was in shocked disbelief and even denial when informed by email of Nick's passing. I'm a magazine ad sales rep from New York (Jersey to be exact). Over many years I got to know Nick first on the telephone. We would have philosophical conversations about everything from politics to World affairs, you name it. Nick was that rare person in business that I could talk to for an hour and realize that we hadn't even discussed any business. It didn't take long for this association to turn into a friendship. Nick was a selfless, charismatic, intelligent and warmhearted person. It is only such a person that could get yours truly up on a ski slope in the Rocky mountains for snowboarding no less. This is probably not something I would have done without serious friendly persuasion I did finally come out and do it, and actually came through relatively unscathed save a few minor bumps and bruises. Nick would have come and found me if I didn't.. That's how persuasive he was. The end result was one of the rare exhilarating experiences of my life that I especially now will always cherish. I think Nick just didn't want me to miss out. I still remember how good the buffalo filet Mignon tasted afterwards. My girlfriend Wendy and I also met Nick and Sabina and her wonderful family in Europe on the Adriatic Sea island of Korcula (We all shared a love for this beautiful region of Europe.) for a memorable mid day dinner. The premature passing of such a vital "bigger than life" man is still hard for me to accept, yet accept it I must as we all must. I'm very grateful for all my shared experiences with Nick most recently back in August for dinner in Cleveland. I will hold these experiences along with Nick close in my heart always.

    Where to begin with Nick….I met Nick down at the University of Missouri, a place he liked to refer to as Hell. Despite that, I know that Nick in his 3 years there had a big impact on me. I was on the track team and the guys on the swim team, esp. Nick were known as the best people to party with and hang out with etc. Track people, Not so much! If I had not met Nick as a Freshman I would have never met Andy Niemann, Scott Christie, John Kuhn and other great people. Needless to say most of the craziest and decadent times I had in college were because of Nick.
    I was Driving down to Fla. With my girlfriend when Scott called me to give me the bad news. I just happened to have a Garden Weasel’s t-shirt on that Andrew had given me years ago. The first thing that came to my mind about Nick was 10 years ago this June, I was living still in Columbia, Mo. and going through a terrible divorce(I think every guy who lived at 1400 Rosemary had a doomed relationship for some reason, except for Scott). I talked to Nick and the next thing I know he shows up in Columbia, Mo. For a gig with his band.   He knew exactly what I needed was to have a bunch of hard partying musicians stay at my house for a couple of days.   Bottom line is, I was in a world of hurt and Nick went out of his way to help a brother out.   I’ll never forget that.
        Frank Koch

Fond memory:
    I invited you to my mother’s 60th birthday party at skate city in Arvada , you walked in wearing a full black leather outfit, (tight leather pants, leather jacket & your famous yellow sunglasses.) only you could pull that off and look so cool & comfortable on skates at skate city!
    I love you and will forever miss your smile and warmth you always had for me and my family.
            Forever,
                Aimee Quaratino

Ain’t it the truth!
This is my favorite memory of Nick…a 30 something year old, in black leather pants on his 6-foot (plus) frame at Skate City on Sheridan. No one else could come close to pulling something like that off! Nick, you are one of a kind!
-Natalie Quaratino

Nick was one of the older guys I looked up to when I was a young NJ swimmer. When I was 15, Nick taught me how to teach swim lessons and gave me my WSA. He then was my pool manager at NJ Outdoor, where he, Jim Richey, Tom Dill, Schuyler, Cathy, Denise, Kirby, and many others and I wrecked havoc and ruled greater Arvada.

He introduced me to a great friend and boss, Andy Niemann. He threw the best parties and was the "hostess with the mostest". I won't forget the Christmas parties, Loveland BBQ's, and will continue them in his honor. I enjoyed many a Weasel shows in various venues. I'm proud to say I was part of Nick's annual "Naked Ski Run" at Loveland during the last run of the year. It wasn't until year 3 when my mother stopped me, but Nick was there...snowboarding in a dress all day, and in the buff at the end (all the way to the car, through the crowds I might add). I never agreed but understood that Nick could ski naked and still be respected. I wish I were that cool.

Famous Quotes? Nick is full of them, and I'll continue to use them and think of him.

"Brett, it was like the 3rd or 4th most drunk ever"
"Brett, get off the babysitter"

"You know Brett, I'm a pretty big guy"
"She's just using you to get to me"

"Brett! Chris dropped keel!"

Thank you, Nick, for the memories. I love you and miss you. You're the big brother I never had and will never forget. I can't believe you're gone.

Brett

Nick,

    You were taken from the world far too soon but touched more lives in your time here than most could in 100 years. Though it has been many years, the lessons I learned from you have stayed with me and will for a life-time. You were an amazing example of how to truly live life, to live it intensely, with purpose, with zest and drive… of how to masterfully balance the responsibilities of work and life with time for friends, having fun and living each moment. The times I spent with you, Jim, Andy, Andrew and the gang at the pool(s) when you took me under your collective wing as an adopted little brother are memories I’ll always cherish. You and Jim were the model for me of how I wanted to live my life – yes, you seemed to enjoy harassing me a bit, but you were always a source of support and a teacher of life’s lessons – more than anything you were a friend. The truth is I’m not sure how or if I would have made it through those times without you and Jim. I’ll never forget your words before I left for college “You got through this, now go live it up and don’t ever stop grabbing life by the balls or listen to anybody who says there’s anything you can’t do,” and “Don’t ever let school get in the way of your education or let work interfere with your schedule.” Those words echoed for years and will for many more to come. When I first started working at the beach in CA it took some of the other lifeguards a while to appreciate the beads hanging in my tower, but in time it caught on… I also had to chuckle when one of the first bands I signed in S.F. wanted to tell me about this “really bad-ass underground band from Denver” they were sure I hadn’t heard of and they busted out a Garden Weasels CD…

        You will be missed but never forgotten.
                Berrick ("Le Berrick" to you!)

“Yo Beeeeeeeehoyach”-
I am gonna miss hearing that on my voice mail after all these years, my brotha!! Thanks For all the Memories.. 2008 on the Mountain is in Honor of knowing you!!! See Ya Soon My FRIEND!!!!!!!!!
Gordon “Beeeeeeeehoyach” Baker

    My friend Nick…well, what can I say? What can I say about someone I’ve known almost half my life and had so much in common with? What can I say about someone with as big a heart as Nick? True, at times his head seemed bigger but that was only because he constantly held the confidence and fortitude that most of us lack. He was truly a pillar to his colleagues, to his family, and to his friends.
    I remember when we met- in the late 70’s at Summer band- and I remember admiring him immediately because he was a pretty good trumpet player and he was sitting next to me in the drum section. “What? This guy is taking up drums, too?” I thought. And I remember thinking, “Man, this guy stinks- literally!” because he’d come from swimming each morning. An athlete, as well! But he wasn’t threatening despite his talent or his size. He was disarming, witty and cool and we became friends right away. From then on we had this special musical connection regardless of what else was happening in our lives- sports, our respective parents’ divorces, jock cliques, band-geek hang-ups, whatever. He was true and real and he gave me a certain confidence in my drumming because he always held me up.
    Spiritually we were connected as well, as we were confirmed at Christ the King together. Nick, Sean Wendt and myself, among others, all went to confirmation classes and were brought to Bishop Frye to make our public affirmation of faith. This was a big deal considering most of our friends were either Catholic or Baptist. I think Nick took this step very seriously. He would mention to me later in life that his strong Episcopal belief was part of his success, not only in his life pursuits, but also as a person. He was definitely proud of it.
    And, speaking of pride, is it just me or was Nick the epitome of pride? He was proud of who he was, how he was and his accomplishments, not simply because of them, but because he truly believed he was pretty close to the best at doing whatever it was he was doing. Whether helping others, building things, fixing up the van, rocking out with his band, standing up for me at my wedding, taking care of things, or just driving his Stingray- yes, that lovely car we all remember so well- he was THE man and it showed. I am proud to have known and loved him. To me Nick was that guy in popular coming-of-age films. The one who’d take care of a friend regardless of the circumstances and damn the consequences. He loved without boundaries, feared little, worked hard, played fair, lived full and provided more for me than I can put into words.
    Rock on old friend!
            -Jeff Davis

    What can one say about a guy like Nick? All the stuff that’s been said already: he lived large, he had a huge heart, he had a wacky sense of humor. I have so many memories involving Nick, many of them familiar ones to a lot of you: all the parties (especially the toga party and the New Year’s Eve bashes at Mary’s), so many shows, all the raucous and bacchanal times. But I also have more private memories, things that I’ll always hold onto. Walking on his back on the floor of the BR room at Meyers. What he wrote in my yearbook: "Keep those sex-starved hands off me in public. People will talk." The picture he gave me before I left for college of him next to his Stingray (which I wish I could find now), so I could always look back home. Sitting on the roof of my dorm in college, drinking beer, talking, and watching the smog go by. How we used to talk about getting married because it was better to marry a friend than put up with all that romance shit (we were so young…). Convincing me to pierce my ear with a cocktail sword (wait, that was Andrew). The night when he unexpectedly planted a kiss on me in Tom Dill’s basement. All the conversations, advice, and silly jokes. Dancing at the Dead Beat Club. When he came to get me at the hospital in the middle of the night after my car accident. The quiet party on a Friday night at the house by Wash Park—Nick kept the keg cold, and we started drinking again the next day until it turned into an impromptu party on Saturday night! Lately, I’ve really been remembering when I first started college and was homesick. Whenever I talked to Nick, we ended every conversation with “I love you.” Wish I could say it one more time in person, but it’s amazing to remember how much love, how much fun, how much life he brought to all of us. I love you, my friend.
    Peace and kisses,
        Melissa

Nick, Nick, Nick!
    How could you leave us so soon? You NUT JOB! Ok, I promise the party will go on after your funeral. And on, and on.
    I’ll never forget you playing The Peak Lounge for us, and the fact that you were our first advertiser on that station back in ’94. That was my favorite radio job EVER!   Shit! My Garden Weasels tee shirt finally turned to dust! I had to retire the fabric to the rag-bag JUST before you freekin’ fell to the other side!!!!!!!!!! You Mother F-er!
    Well, I guess you and Dylan will have to save that ski trip for another day, another place.
         I love you.
             Jackie Selby aka “Dee”

Here's a visual for you, because the original pics are glued to my wall of fame, shame & eternity.
    Nick on the floor with his coconut tits and pith helmet while Mr. Pete the pit bull sleeps on the couch in a curly wig.
    Nick as the fashion police.
    Nick mounting Andy on my red velvet couch.
    Nick wearing a pink tu-tu at a Halloween weasel fest.

Memories:
    Meeting Nick when I was 44 at Meyers pool when he took me under his wing and told me I needed to party with him and his friends "cuz swimmers were good people".
    Breakfast with Nick the morning of the Valdez oil spill.
    Never too many weasel shows.
    Not too rare sensitive insights from and into an individual in touch with who he was and he was always just "in the Nick of time".

            Aloha, my friend
                    Mary Edwards

I feel lucky to have known Nick. We met through mutual friends (actually someone who Nick worked with in Australia). Just a really stellar fellar. I will be flying in from Pennsylvania for the memorial.
-Tom Chaney

I remember the first time I met Nick. This was probably around 1990. Aimee Quaratino told me, "You've got to meet Nick !" as we were going to a party from swim teamers and lifeguards. We got there, and she went off to talk, and I went to the keg. It was in the basement, and there was only one person at the keg. The bulb was a red light bulb. This guy filled me up and started talking to me. This guy was really cool. It was hilarious. About 20 minutes go by, and Aimee finally catches up to me, and I said, "Aimee - you've gotta meet this guy. This is Nick." She's like, "Mike - that's Nick Pomeroy...." I was like "No way - you're Nick Pomeroy ???" He had this look on his face all cool like, "Yeah - that's me...." Aimee had told me all kinds of stories about him, and others, from the North Jeffco Swim Team. Nick was one of her favorite people ever, and I can see why. Nick was easy to talk to, funny, and one of the few people who actually talks as much as me. LOL.

Another really fun memory was at a Weasels Concert at Bangles (that old heavy metal nightclub in Glendale - lol). There was this Volcano thing up the stairs to the right of the stage. Me and Aimee and Don Schlatt were on the stairs, and I was sticking my head out of this hole in the volcano only to yell "Weasels !!!" Nick saw me do it, and he cracked up telling me about it during a few post concert beers. He said I looked like a Weasel sticking my head out of a hole, and that it reminded him of that game where you wack gophers. I was like, "yeah - that's what I was going for." LOL. I don't know. I guess you had to see it. It was just funny. We were laughing.

Another fun memory from a Weasels concert was at Herman's Hideaway. Aimee Quaratino and I took her mom, Deloris Quaratino, down to the concert with another one of my friends. Mook and Buena then had a couple of shots of Goldschlaeger, and I remember about 10 minutes later, her and Buena were out on the dance floor in the middle of a mosh pit. People were slam dancing, and the two of them were totally oblivious - LOL. They were just kind of clapping their hands together, having fun. I remember saying to Aimee, "Oooop - I'd better get out there." I was worried they were going to get mowed over. Then Nick jumped down off stage and worked the crowd. LOL. Buena and Deloris were having so much fun. LOL.

Another fun memory I have was of Nick and crew at The Cheshire Cat in Arvada for his birthday. Nick's Birthday is 1 day before mine, and so I went to the party with Don Schlatt whose Bday is one day after mine. The stars lined up. We were telling some of the most hilarious stories. I remember Nick's face was all red. He looked like he was going to pop. Tears in the eyes and everything. Aimee Quaratino and Natalie Quaratino were right next to him, my brother, DonMan, and various others were all just cracking up.
I also remember Nick for his intelligence, and environmental consciousness. As an engineer, I always appreciated Nick's conversations telling me about his water purification business, and the technology behind it. Likewise, I found his entrepreneurial spirit admirable. These things really stood out because he was very young to have his own business. I'd say he was way ahead of the curve, and this is a great example of his many facets. Musician, businessman, engineer - truly a renaissance man.