Nick Andrus

For Nicholas Andrus, nothing in life brought more happiness than spending time with his family. A proud father, loving companion and beloved brother and son, Nick showed a deep love for his family and friends. He touched the hearts of many people with his thirst for fun and adventure, his love for telling stories with a twinkle in his eye, and his intuitive spirit that so easily sensed the emotions of others. He will be truly missed.

Nick's story begins in the year 1979, right before the dawn of a decade that would be known for the rise of the computer and video games, pop music and hard rock. For Michael and Barbara Andrus, the year 1979 was filled with anticipation and excitement as they prepared their home in Grand Rapids, Michigan for the birth of their first child. One spring day, on April 14, 1979, a precious baby boy took his first glimpses of the world at Butterworth Hospital. His parents, Michael and Barbara, were filled with joy as they looked at the face of their son, Nicholas.

Nicholas soon became the proud older brother to two siblings, Ellie and Alex. He had a third sibling, but tragically his baby brother, Jonathan, died at birth. Nick and his family lived in a house on Escott NW. He was a pleasure as a child, full of spirit and energy. A talented athlete, Nicholas always boasted that he played football, basketball, baseball and wrestling, and was good at it. As a child, Nick attended Shawmut Elementary and Holy Spirit Elementary. He enjoyed school, but kept busy outside of the classroom by playing Nintendo and Atari, working on his paper route and spending time with his friends.

Nick loved socializing, and was always eager to spend time with his friends. A loyal companion, Nick loved his friends, and was very dedicated to them and supportive, always attending their special events. Nick was a close friend with a boy named Jaron who, unfortunately, passed away after a fight with leukemia. Nick then experienced loss again later in life with the death of his close friend Marcello, as both tragedies deeply affected him. Nick who originally attended West Catholic High School, later moved and completed his studies at Kenowa Hills High School, where he graduated in 1997.

After high school, Nick attended Western Michigan University for two years, where he studied business and was a member of the TKE fraternity. As he grew older, Nick always joked that he played some "old man" sports, including softball and rec basketball. He loved to talk about the old days and tell stories, and always did so in a way that would make you laugh. With a spark for life and a sense for adventure, Nick decided to move to Chicago, and then Miami, to start up a business. In recent years, Nick was working in the mortgage banking industry.

In the year 2006, Nick had a stroke of good luck when he became reacquainted with a young lady named Rachelle Block, a friend from high school. The two immediately felt that their friendship could be something more, and began seriously dating after Nick returned from Miami in 2007. He was always a gentleman, and treated Rachelle like a gem. Nick swept her off her feet with his sense of humor, and the two loved going to the movies together and going to the Haunted Mansion. In the year 2009, Nick and Rachelle discovered that they were expecting a baby together. From the moment he found out, Nick was proud and excited about the upcoming birth, and couldn't wait to tell people that he was going to be a father. When their son Emory Michael was born on September 2, 2009, Nick proved himself as an amazing and natural father. He did everything he could to help out raising his son, and the two had a special relationship. It was often said that he and Emory were carbon copies of each other, even co-conspirators with the same mischievous twinkle in their eyes.

Nick loved spending time with his family, and was always up for playing around and being there for others. He loved playing with his cousins, and enjoyed pulling a "razor ramone" on his cousin Max, or any other unsuspecting kid for that matter. As an older brother, Nick was supportive and protective. His brother, Alex, remembers how Nick would join him while he trained for football, and even when he was about to collapse, Nick would stick it out. He was especially protective of his sister Ellie, and played the big brother role well when she brought home dates. He was close with this extended family as well, always coming up with nicknames for everyone, and had great respect for his "Council of the Aunts".

Nick loved making the most of his life, and always had a great sense of humor. He loved eating, especially hard fried eggs cooked by his Grandma Andrus, Alfano's Pizza, and ranch dressing on just about everything. Nick was always a stylish, well-groomed man who had a knack for dressing well, with the exception of his "Uncle Eddy" white dress shoes.

Nick died suddenly in a car accident on October 31, 2010. Leaving loving family and friends devastated after his passing.

Throughout his life, Nick showed deep love and dedication to his family. With his spirit for fun and adventure, his infectious laugh, and his intuitive spirit, Nick brought countless moments of joy to those who knew him. A beloved father, companion, son and brother, Nick will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert & Elizabeth Wolfston; and brother, Jonathan. Nick is survived by his son, Emory Michael Andrus; the love of his life, Rachelle Block; parents, Michael & Barbara Andrus; sister, Elizabeth “Ellie” Andrus; brother, Alexander “Alex”Andrus; grandparents, Emory “Ray” & Marlene Andrus; and many Wolfston and Andrus aunts, uncles and cousins.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 AM on Thursday at Holy Spirit Parish, 2230 Lake Michigan Dr. N.W. Friends may visit with his family from 6-8 PM on Wednesday at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. N.W. In lieu of flowers, contributions to his son Emory Michael’s future education c/o Lake Michigan Credit Union would be appreciated. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com and feel free to archive a memory, photo, or sign the guest book.