[Dennis]

This is sad and unwelcome news indeed.

Nick was a star; a stellar friend and a star bright, whose humanity shone forth and touched all those lucky enough to have come in contact with this giant of a person. At times quite shy and retiring, Nick was none the less always cheerful and forthcoming with his friendship and selfless help, buckets of which he extended to me at my first BAS meeting in 1993.

Nick was just one of the nicest, most modest and talented people I have had the good fortune to know, albeit for such a short while. Sadly for me, I lost contact with the BAS over the last 12 months, so only managed to see Nick twice in that period; once at the BAS Comet McNaught gathering at Whites Hill and most recently, at the 2007 Queensland Astrofest.

On these occasions, I met both Nick and Caroline. It immediately struck me how blessed Nick was to have such a devoted companion, to love, comfort, nurse and support him through the illness that finally raised this shining star from our Earth, to place him in the heavens above, which he so deeply loved through his passion for astronomy.

Dear Nick, you will be sorely missed and today, when Tony ‘phoned me, I shed many tears; tears of sadness for your premature passing, mixed with tears of gratitude for having known you and some tears of release knowing that you are now free from the illness that you so bravely coped with. Nick, it is your time, time to rest in peace, eternal peace whilst safe in God's grace and unbounded love.

Dear Caroline, I barely know you, yet I immediately felt a love and strength of spirit when I met you and Nick, which I trust will carry you through those difficult times encountered when losing a loved one. God bless you and thank you for being such a wonderful companion to Nick.

All our love

Dennis & Narelle