Nicholas Gilbert

A LIFE WELL LIVED

Today, we gather to remember and celebrate the life of Nicholas Alexander Gilbert, affectionately known as Nick and lovingly called Nicky Pickles by close family. Born on July 19, 1995, Nicholas was the youngest of three brothers. He grew up in both Los Angeles and Las Vegas. His cousins, who were all girls up till then, loved Nick and gave him the Nickname, Nicky Pickles. He was dearly loved by all his cousins and shared a special bond with each of them. Nicholas was a proud graduate of Global Communications High School, where he was profoundly influenced by his mentors, Coach Froman, Ms. Yac, and Principal Mr. Piccininni. Under Coach Froman's guidance, Nicholas excelled in weightlifting, displaying his dedication and strength, and leading his team with older brother Joshua, who was a national & state title winner.

Nicholas' love for freedom started with bike riding at an incredibly early age. He was only 2 when Gerron took his training wheels off much to my displeasure. We rode everywhere. He kept up without gears! Riding on the beach was our biggest passion. During the summer when we rode at the beach, we started the Bonfire tradition that brought out friends and family from all over! We rode in the Santa Monica mountains and to the Observatory! There was nowhere we did not ride!

Then Nick discovered minibikes and had a very nasty fall off of one of them when he was only 9 years; he ended up with 6 holes in his leg from the 120 degree asphalt. But that didn't deter his love of two-wheel vehicles, and eventually evolved into a passion for motorcycles, particularly Harley Davidsons. The motorcycle community became another family to him. He was incredibly committed to his ride, his Hogg family, and even teaching himself to work on his own bike.

It was in 2020 when tragedy struck again at the hands of a hit and run driver who ran the light. He lost the use of his right foot and he was in the hospital for 5 days. The doctors told him it would be a year before he walked again. Well, he defied expectations by walking before doctors predicted, returning to roofing which he took pride in, to perfection, and then eventually buying his second Harley.

Known affectionately as “Sandman” to another family he adopted, Nicholas cherished this family and, in his words, “On Hood” he would give his love and respect.

Nicholas was overjoyed when he became an uncle, always ensuring that his nieces Angela, Angeline, and Janessa, and his nephews Joshua Jr, and Jhovany knew how much he loved them. His heart was as big as his dimples which caved in when he smiled. He was kind and compassionate to all he loved, and he protected them fiercely. He was the protector of those he loved! He would go extremely far out of his way to protect and assist.

Nicholas was immensely proud of who he was and for what he stood. He was confident in his abilities, knowing he was worthy and deserving of love and respect. He continually achieved his dreams through his skills and determination. Nicholas was constantly learning, growing, and open to new opportunities and experiences. Driven and motivated, Nicholas was determined to succeed. He was resilient, bouncing back from setbacks, never backing down or giving up without trying until he achieved what he was trying to accomplish. Highly focused, he took massive action toward his goals, one step at a time, and attained many of them. Nicholas was a winner in every way because he never gave up, and his faith brought him to God.

"I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die." (John 11: 25-26) Nick is survived by his parents, Nancy and Gerron Gilbert, brothers Angelo and Joshua, his sisters-in-laws, Alex and Sugg, nieces Angela, Angeline and Janessa, nephews Joshua Jr and Jhovany, his grandmother Barbara Farrell, and numerous aunts Maria DeRouen, Felicia Andia, Genevieve DeRouen, Danielle Wells, Alexia Moore and Markeysh Gilbert, and his uncles Gregory DeRouen, Christopher DeRouen, Gerald Sloan, Terran McFarland, Uncle Dee, Caesar Andia, Bryant Carl Moore, and Patrell as well many cousins and countless extended family that spans several states, who are here today to celebrate his life together.