Nicholas T. Collura, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, passed away peacefully on May 19. He was 80 years old. Nicholas, or Nick, was a dedicated and loving husband to his wife of 57 years, Catherine, and a devoted father to his children, Scott and Christine, and father-in-law to Noelle and Kevin. His love for his grandchildren, Gabrielle, Brooke, and Nicholas, and his immense pride in them was unparalleled. His brother Frank was also his best friend, and his love of his entire family, including in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends, never ceased. And then there were the pets…the dogs Cleo and Max, the many cats, the grand-pups and grand-kittens. He adored them all. His pride in his work as a Road Freight Conductor on the Long Island Railroad for over 30 years was clear, and this career inspired the many fascinating and often times hilarious stories that he was always prepared to regale friends and family with.

His commitment to doing the job right, doing it safely, and not putting up with anyone incapable of the same was never in doubt, and his dedication to hard work as a means to making a better life for himself and his family was unwavering. Of course, all who knew Nick were also aware of his talent with his hands. He was a craftsman who might, say, be installing a potbelly, coal-burning stove on a Tuesday, only to follow that up on a Thursday by mixing concrete all day in order to continue construction on his ever-growing and evolving backyard waterfall. That piece in time came to be more than simply a waterfall, really, and more a singular tribute to his unique creativity. Indeed, the spark of creativity present today in his children and grandchildren, all of whom have an interest in the arts from dance to music to writing, clearly came at least in part from Nick, whose commitment to building was somehow more than just a hobby and something closer to an artistic mandate. He found peace when hauling 50-pound boulders. But most of all, Nicholas will be remembered for his huge heart. He was a loving guy, from rescuing animals to helping others less fortunate than himself to welcoming his children and grandchildren’s friends into his home wholeheartedly as part of the family. His wife Catherine was his world, and he would do anything for her. Even when he was so sick in the end, his main concern was that she would be OK. He will be deeply missed, and always loved and remembered by those he touched. He built a mountain literally, yes, but in so many other ways as well.

Donations can be made to The Lewy Body Dementia Association 912 Killian Hill Road S.W. Lilburn, GA 30047