Nick was born in Detroit, Michigan on September 16, 1944. He enlisted and served in the United States Navy as a radar technician/electrician’s mechanic from 1963–1967. He was stationed in the Mediterranean on the USS Mole and the USS Basilone. He also served in the United States Naval Reserve and the United States Coast Guard Reserve. He was decorated with the National Service Defense Medal.

Nick married his wife, Rosemary, in 1969 and their son, Nick Jr., was born in 1970. After the Navy, Nick worked as an electrician’s mechanic and engineer, living in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. In the late 1990s Nick and Rosemary moved to his hometown area in Michigan where he continued working as an engineer. He retired in 2012, joining his son and daughter-in-law in Pittsboro, North Carolina. He established his own small machining/prototyping business, Foxtek, Inc., where he was his own boss and worked at his own pace.

Nick was especially passionate about ham radio with an Amateur Extra ticket and was a founding member of Chatham AUXCOMM; a proud member of Orange County Radio Amateurs (OCRA); and Durham FM Association (DFMA). He loved to share his knowledge and get others excited about ham radio.

As a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church he attended mass every Sunday. He volunteered on many occasions and served on committees including the Church Council and was head of the Friends in Faith Senior Group.

Nick is survived by his loving wife of more than 52 years, Rosemary; his son, Nicholas (KN4QBY) Jr. (Melissa); brother, Eddie (Cynthia) Szydlek; sisters, Carol (Fred) Zirotti and Cherilyn (Don) Smith; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and peers. He was preceded in death by his parents Barbara J. Eshelman Szydlek-Lawless; Edwin Joseph Rivers and stepmother Frances Rivers; and brothers Lawrence S. Szydlek and Phillip P. Szydlek.

In lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite cancer organization or St. Jude’s in Nick’s name.

Memorial Service

Gathering of Remembrance
Friday, February 18, 10:00 AM
St. Thomas More Catholic Church
940 Carmichael Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Funeral Mass
Friday, February 18, 10:30 AM
St. Thomas More Catholic Church
940 Carmichael Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Donations
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105
Tel: 1-800-805-5856
Web: www.stjude.org

73, Dee, KU4GC
February 27, 2022