Nicholas “Nick” T. Baude

March 7, 1933 - November 13, 2020

Nicholas T. Baude, 87, of North Fort Myers, FL, passed away November 13, 2020, peacefully with Kat by his side.

Born March 7, 1933, in New London, CT, he was the son of the late Sebastian T. and Josephine C. Muscarella Baude.  Nick’s marriage to the late Inez Troxel gave him one son, Curt J. Baude, and one daughter, Kristie M. Baude, both who preceded him in death. 

Nick is survived by two brothers: Joseph A. Baude, his wife Mary E. Baude of Atlanta, GA and Robert J. Baude of Adairsville, GA; two grandsons:   Kainen M. Lewis, his wife Jeana and great-grandsons Jace and Kole of Neosho, WI and Kristopher M. Lewis of Neosho, WI;  niece: Mary Jo Kirchner; nephews: Gary Baude, Kenneth Baude and Brian Baude; many cousins: the extended Baude, Wilkenson, Muscarella, Kirchner, Burgess families; and his beloved partner Kathleen “Kat” Middag. 

Nick grew up in New London, CT, and had a love for music from a very early age.  He played the trumpet and his brother, Joe, played the clarinet, together they developed their talent and were performing live in the local area by the time he was just 9 years old. 

At the age of 19, Nick joined the U.S. Air Force where he served as a Staff Sergeant military photographer at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota.

After the Air Force, Nick began his studies for a career in nursing.  He earned his Bachelor of Science Nursing and his Master of Science Nursing from Saint Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen, SD.  He then earned a CRNA, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.   Nick enjoyed his long career as a Nurse Anesthetist and finished his career in North Fort Myers, FL. 

Throughout his life, Nick performed live music at many events. In the late 60’s and early 70’s while living and working in Waukegan, IL his band, “The Nick Baude Trio”, performed regularly in the area.  His bandmates, Kenny Nordstrom and George Stefanowitz, remained lifelong friends.  Nick was a prankster and affectionately earned the nickname “Tricky Nicky” from a dear friend in Waukegan. The nickname was so perfect that it stayed with him forever, and he embraced the name. His brother, Bob will share details of this story online at MullinsMemorial.com and Legacy.com. The family encourages you to visit these sites and share your own memorial message.

Nick loved his life on the water, the sun filled beaches and the sunsets on the Gulf of Mexico.  He attended many local live music performances and had many friends throughout the community. 

In his final days, Nick received a visit from the Hope Hospice, volunteer Veterans Honor Guard.  They performed a beautiful ceremony honoring Nick for his military service. 

Nick has chosen a ceremonial scattering of the ashes off the coast of Fort Myers Beach.  The date of this event is to be determined.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.

Guestbook

  1. Mary Baude Nov 16, 2020 at 11:36 am

    We grew up together since he was 8 years old. He was more a brother to me and will be greatly missed. We all loved to watch the many things he got into as he was so much fun. He lived a good life and was so fortunate to live his later years with “Kat” one of the most wonderful things to have happened to him. I loved him, Cya Nick

  2. "Bro Joe" Baude Nov 16, 2020 at 11:48 am

    Bro Nick and I lived together in New London and Waterford, CT from 1933 to 1949, when I joined the Air Force. Nick knew my wife Mary, her sister Audrey (deceased), and her brother Aubrey (deceased) as we grew up in David street. ALL the Wilkinsons were FAMILY to Nick, Bro Bob and me.

    Our love and warm feelings for Kat’s love for Nick over many past years will last for our lifetime.

    Our thanks to ALL NICK’s FRIENDS at the “D” dock.

    I

  3. Bill and Kathy Wilkinson Garske Nov 16, 2020 at 12:11 pm

    I didn’t know Nick all that well however, I remember many picnics at The Baude family home on David Street across from my grandparents home. Nick, my Dad, Uncle Joe, Uncle Keith and a few others were always laughing and pranking on one another and often did crazy things to scare the wives and Mothers. Wherever The Baude’s were one could always count on great music as well as great laughter, awesome food and so much fun with all my cousins…..
    My condolences to Nicks family as well as all those who knew and loved him….

  4. Bob Baude Nov 16, 2020 at 3:27 pm

    My Brother Nick was always the life of the party. If there wasn’t a party, he would start one for everyone to enjoy.
    He was always doing things to make people laugh. He earned the name “Tricky Nicky” be pulling off many stunts.
    His best stunt was when his friend Fred Brean’s kids kept bugging their dad to get a pool. Fred said “No Way”. However Nick so the opportunity to pull a fast one on Fred. When Fred and Family went on vacation, Nick went to work. He called a Pool Contractor, and said Fred wanted to surprise the kids when they got back from vacation. He wanted a Above Ground Pool and Deck installed in the back yard, and to bill Fred for it.
    When Fred’s kids came home they were so happy on seeing the pool. When Fred saw the pool, he laughed and said ” Tricky Nicky did it to me again.” The pool wasn’t cheap, but Fred took it in stride. Nick was his best friend…….even if he did push the envelope of friendship now and then. But these are the things that memories are made of !

  5. GLORIA Korman (grandma) Nov 16, 2020 at 5:30 pm

    Nick was a very special friend to me., My late husband, Jerry, and my late partner, Paul Calvey. I met him thru my granddaughter and husband, Jim Seaton; they were very close friends and we all had many fun days socializing. He always made me laugh with his great sense of humor. His nickname for me was always Grandma even though I was only 4 years older.. Nick also took away my fears when I had cataract surgery which he attended as my anesitist. He will be missed. It saddens me beyond words for his partner, Kat, his many friends, his family and me. He was one of a kind. Rest in peace, Nick. God willing and the creek dont rise, I will see you again yonder

  6. Gina Palarz Nov 16, 2020 at 7:59 pm

    I met Nick on my Birthday. When he met my mother Kat. From then on he was concidered family. Spending Christmas and summers with us in Michigan. I remember a lot of long talks with him and he will truly be missed.

  7. Skylar Palarz Nov 16, 2020 at 8:18 pm

    Nick was my grandmas partner for the past several years (kat). He brought many laughs, and good spirits to our home. Every year on Christmas eve, we would go to dinner and he would give a a dollar to a child and we all called him “Saint Nick”. He was a big part of our lives in the past years. We love you, Nick! Forever rest in peace.

  8. Kelly Seaton Nov 17, 2020 at 4:35 pm

    26 years ago, on New Years Eve, only 2 weeks after my husband and I began dating, we met Nick on an island. He and Jim hit it off immediately, but I swore a little too much for Nick’s liking. I guess he was able to get past my sailor’s mouth, because we soon became the best of friends. Jim and I spent the next ten years meeting Nick every single weekend at that same island with a few longer boating adventures in between. Oh, and let’s not forget the time he talked me into or I talked him into jumping off a bridge together! Then Jim (or Jimmy, as Nick called him) and I moved to Cape Coral, but the party wasn’t over because Nick soon followed when he purchased his houseboat and relocated to NFM. By this time Nick was no longer a friend to us, but family. It’s hard to remember a holiday that doesn’t include Nick grilling up some lamb wrapped in bacon and carving up the turkey. A teary eyed Nick stood up for us at our wedding. I will miss football Sundays, boating, holidays, singing (yep, there’s a YouTube video) and traveling with my buddy Nick. Jim and I feel beyond blessed to have spent so much of life with Tricky. Rest In Peace, my friend. We will see you again!

  9. Karen Williams Nov 20, 2020 at 8:12 am

    When we first met Nick through Kat, we thought”oh boy” opinionated cocky Italian! And he was! Lol! But he was also a good hearted soul! We stopped at the houseboat one day to say hi and ended up there for hours! Nick would not stop feeding us or stop mixing the drinks and telling us stories! And from there to The Naughty Parrot for more fun! He was always welcomeing to Harry and I . We got to know him and like him a lot. Had some great times with him and Kat! I’m so sorry for your loss Kat, R.i.p Nick

  10. Bill Collard Nov 20, 2020 at 12:12 pm

    He was a good friend and a little on the crazy side. He will be missed by a lot of people. Karen Williams said it all !

  11. "Bro Joe" Baude Nov 26, 2020 at 3:32 pm

    Bro Nick was the middle child. His early years, before he left his CT family home, shaped his personality and character. They framed and famed him thru his lifetime. Wherever he lived he loved his life doing his things his way, every day.

  12. Rich & Lin Waggener Dec 1, 2020 at 4:04 pm

    We knew Nick over many years. We stayed at his guest house back in 1979 on Forest Lake Rd. in Land O’Lakes, WI. We remember his water skiing dog Ziggy down at Ted’s Sandy Beach Resort. He always had a nice speed boat. He loved the water then too. He created the plans for our cabin in Land O’Lakes. When he moved to Florida we would always look forward to seeing him in the summer when he came back, usually around the 4th of July. He’d make the rounds and take his old work colleagues and friends out for lunch. Nick was well liked by all. We have many great memories of Nick, and he will be missed. Bye to you Nick! RIP

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