Nicholas Todd Halvard Smith passed from this life on Sunday, May 1, 2011 in Newport News, Virginia. He was 21 years old.
While family and friends mourn during this very difficult time, we are comforted by many beautiful aspects of his life. Nick was active in both the St. Thomas Aquinas youth ministry and in the Catholic Campus ministry at Christopher Newport University. On his own initiative, Nick began a Wednesday night prayer group to encourage fellowship among other students. He was a psychology major and had been involved in primary research on the effects of sleep patterns on human cognition and behavior. He recently made his first scientific conference presentation along with colleagues. Nicholas was an active member of Kappa Delta Rho fraternity and spoke frequently of how much his brothers meant to him.
Nick was a very talented singer, dancer, and actor. He shared his gifts by performing in the church Lifeteen band during his high school years and also sang in the CNU campus ministry. He played the part of Javier in Les Miserables during his senior year at Albemarle High School, one of the most acclaimed public schools for drama in the nation. In addition, he was a regional champion and a state finalist for dramatic presentation on the AHS forensics team. Nick lettered in wrestling during his freshman year before devoting his time to fine arts.
Nick's candle burned brightly-- he was beautiful, generous, charismatic, stubborn, reckless at times, and very, very passionate.
His final act of grace was donating his organs to others in need. Because of his uncommon blood type, his gifts were transplanted to individuals who had little hope of finding a suitable donor.
Both Nick's parents, Howard Todd Smith and Jodi Jones Smith, survive him as does his brother, Jacob Earl Smith. Nick was blessed with a large extended family that included eight grandparents, six uncles and aunts, and six first cousins.
All friends are welcome to the following events in Charlottesville, Virginia, to honor Nick's life:
From 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday, May 5, 2011, the family will receive friends at Teague Funeral Home on Ivy Road.
At 2 p.m. Friday, May 6, 2011, a funeral mass will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Church on Alderman Road. Burial will follow at Holly Memorial Gardens off Route 29 near Forest Lakes.
A reception at the Doubletree Hotel will follow the burial from 4:30 until 7:30 p.m.
Nick Smith had many accomplishments in a life that was far too short. By reading Nick's obitruary we can see his interest and we know he had a big heart. I wish I had known this young man.
Nicholas Todd Halvard Smith
Charles "Connie" Crenshaw (1958)
Nick Smith had many accomplishments in a life that was far too short. By reading Nick's obitruary we can see his interest and we know he had a big heart. I wish I had known this young man.
Charles Crenshaw
AHS Alumni Association