Community Corner

"His Sorrows are Gone"- Family and Friends Remember Nick Sorice

Much of Colonia turned out to remember the Nick Sorice they knew and loved.

When the sun finally broke through the clouds on Saturday after days of rain, many families couldn't wait to take advantage of the blue skies and sweet, late spring weather.

One family in Colonia, though, spent the day much differently than they ever thought they would. The Sorice family was tending to the tender burial of their beloved son, Nicholas Sorice.

More than 100 people queued up outside St. John Vianney Church, waiting for a moment to bid farewell to the 26-year-old Sorice, and to tell each other stories about the handsome, cheerful, and well-liked young man they desperately missed.

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Sorice's body was found on the street on Willow Ave. in Iselin in the early morning hours of May 18. Less than two days later, Frank Barbaccia, 44, of Congers, NY, was arrested for lying to police and for illegally dumping Sorice's body.

The cause of Nicholas Sorice's death is still under investigation.

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Everyone at the church had a story about the Nick they remembered. Among them were close family members, friends, teachers, neighbors, and acquaintances who knew him only briefly, but upon whom he had made a deep impression.

Mike Pilles, one of Nicholas’s best friends, said they knew each other since they were 15 years old. “There are so many memories, and I can’t even share most of them,” he laughed, bittersweet tears welling up in his eyes.

Mike’s sister and mother held each other for support, dabbing at their eyes with well-used Kleenex. “Nick was so free-spirited, and he was loved by all of his friends. When he graduated in 2002, there was a small, tight group of friends that stuck together and they became like a family. He just put a smile on everyone’s face," they said.

Dozens of red flower arrangements adorned the sides of the wooden coffin where Sorice's body lie. The casket was placed directly underneath the holy cross of Christ, which was draped with a sheer, white cotton cloth.

Each attendee had a solemn and grieving look as they quietly mourned their loss. Many family members and friends were seen constantly wiping tears that flowed freely down their cheeks, while simultaneously gripping a wrinkled tissue in their other hand.

One close family member, fighting back tears, began the funeral service by reading a Biblical passage from Revelation: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." 

Fr. Edward O'Neill, who officiated at the service, comforted mourners from the book of Matthew. “Although the world looks upon death as an end, we view death not as the end of a life but as one of change and eternal joy and peace. And because Nicholas was baptized, he will be in the hands of God in peace and joy," he said.

“We know Nicholas had many burdens and many struggles," Fr. O'Neill said to the congregation. "Now Nicholas, with all his struggles, pains, and disappointments, they are all gone. He now rests in the hands of God and his young life is no longer burdened, and it is no longer pained. 

"The pain, the sorrow, and the suffering that Nicholas had are all gone. Now there is only hope, joy, and eternal light, and knowing this should console Nicholas’s family," he continued. "One day we will be able to join him in the Kingdom of God.” 

At the conclusion of the service, many mourners lingered outside in the mild weather to share their memories of Sorice, including Mrs. McCartin-MacIntyre, who taught young Nick in her history class at Colonia High School. “He was a jolly and cheerful kid. He always sat in the back but he was like a bright sunshine in the back of that classroom,” she said.

“After graduation Nicholas had a tough time, but he was so determined to kick his demons, so determined,” said Mrs. McCartin-MacIntyre. Tears began to stream down her cheeks. “So determined,” she whispered.

The three McGuirk brothers grew up with Sorice. They said they had so many memories with him, but some of the best times they had with him was when they went on vacation together. 

“We had a blast down in South Beach, Miami. Nick Valentini came with us too. It was all of us guys and we had a really good time,” one of the brothers said.

"We just miss Nick. What a great guy and a good friend."


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