Local Man, โคNicholas Gulizia, Rememberedโ for Passion, Kindness, and Resilience
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV – January 16, 2026 – The Shepherdstownโ community isโฃ mourning theโข loss of Nicholas โSalvatoreโ Gulizia, a beloved son, brother, friend, and partner,โ who passed away recently. A celebration โof his life will be held tomorrow,January 17,2026,at 3:00 pm atโค Riverfront Parkโ in Shepherdstown.
Born โafterโฃ a arduous childbirth, Gulizia overcame early challenges โto โbecome, according to those who knew him, a remarkably positive and capable individual. A “Navy Brat,” โฃhe attended schoolsโข in Washington, Virginia, and Westโค Virginia,โค experiencing a childhood marked by frequent moves. He later pursued a career in the trades, โfinding fulfillment in hands-on work andโ the constant challenge of new locations and projects.
Those whoโฃ knewโ Gulizia consistently described him as brilliant, self-taught, andโ possessing a strong work ethic. โขHe was โฃknown โขfor his generosity,โ often putting the needs of others before his own, and for his diverse passions, โincluding skateboarding, music, art, fishing, surfing, camping, and the โstudy of physics.
“He would give you the shirt off his back freely without needing recognition,” a family statement โฃread.
Gulizia’s close relationships were central to his life. โHe โwas deeply lovedโฃ by his sister Jessica Gulizia โคRobb and brother Jacob Gulizia, who cherished him as a younger brother. He shared a notably close bond wiht his brother-in-law, Henry robb, whom he considered a chosen โขbrother. Heโข also found profound love with his girlfriend, Kyleigh โNestor, and embraced her family – particularly her Nana and siblings โ- โas his own. The Nestor family is deeply grievingโค his loss.
His love extended to animals, including his โdogs Trino, โคTanner, and Trixie, as well as Tessa, โคTatum, andโ Rueben. He was fiercely loyal to his friends, cultivating deep andโฃ lasting connections with those he allowed โinto his inner โcircle, offeringโ unwavering support and celebrating their successes.โข Notable friendships included those with Joshua and Marcus, whom he met while living on Amaranth court, as well as friends in Oak Harbor, โขWA,โ Shepherdstown, and Morgantown, WV.
gulizia is preceded in death by his grandmother, Anita Troyer; great-grandfather, Sam Gulizia; great-grandmother,โข Katherine โWells Carranze; uncle,โค Randy Wells, and cousin, Emily Blazejewski.
He โขis survived by his parents,don and โStacie gulizia; his sister & brother-in-law,Jessica Gulizia Robb โค& Henry Robb,his brother โฃJacob Gulizia;โฃ his niece,Isla Robb; and his girlfriend Kyleigh Nestor and her family; his grandparents Don and Nancy Gulizia,his great-grandmother,Marie Gulizia;โค and โalso numerous uncles,aunts,cousins,and friends.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Nicholas Gulizia’s memory to The Barry Robinson Center, 443 Kempsville โRoad, Norfolk, VA 23502. Donations can โbe โmade byโ check, โขwith “In โคmemory of Nicholas Gulizia” noted on the memo line, or online at https://www.barryrobinson.org/.
A reception willโค follow the tribute at Riverfront Park. Theโข community is invited to attend and shareโฃ memories of a life lived with passionโค and kindness.