Nelson Joseph Kick Jr.
July 26, 1940 - July 03, 2025
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Nelson Joseph Kick Jr.
Nelson Joseph Kick Jr., 84, of Raleigh, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2025. Born July 26, 1940, in Buffalo, New York, Nelson was the son of the late Nelson Joseph Kick Sr. and Victoria Kopdywadska Kick. From the very beginning, he seemed destined for adventure—whether steering a submarine through the depths or guiding students toward their own engineering dreams.
After high school, he enlisted in the Navy in 1959. In 1963, he was accepted into the electrical engineering program at the University of Colorado’s School of Engineering in Boulder, where he earned his degree before serving 23 years in the Navy’s submarine force. Even after hanging up his naval uniform, he carried that same spirit of exploration into academia. As department head of automation and robotics at Wake Technical Community College’s School of Engineering, he built programs that launched careers and inspired innovation for decades.
Nelson and his wife Maryann celebrated 62 years of marriage, a partnership rooted in bridge games, travel adventures, and shared laughter. Together they moved to North Carolina in 1983, planting their roots here for the next 40 years. Nelson made friends wherever he went—volunteering with the Raleigh Durham USO, tinkering at marksmanship ranges, or plotting his next gourmet gathering with the Raleigh Newcomers Gourmet Group. He was a master Sudoku solver, and in quieter moments, he returned to childhood passions of stamp and rare coin collecting.
He was an active member of the Retired Military Officers Association and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, always ready with a story from “back in the day” that somehow circled back to a valuable lesson. Family was his greatest joy: he’s remembered by his devoted wife Maryann (Olivieri); daughter Shelley (Kick) Wilkins (Bryan); daughter Marcelle Kick; son Nelson J. Kick III; grandchildren Zachary Wilkins, Rachel and Melanie Wilkins, and Lucas Duffin; sister Vicki Regent; brother Edward Kick; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister Joan Tabor and his parents.
Nelson approached life with the precision of a submariner, the curiosity of an engineer, and the warmth of a friend who always had time for a game of bridge or a challenging Sudoku. As we say goodbye, we’ll carry forward his enthusiasm for learning, his dedication to service, and his reminder that the best discoveries often come from simply trying something new. Donations may be made to the Wake Technical Community College Foundation for scholarships.
Services
Visitation
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Mass
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Rite of Committal and Military Honors
12:00 PM
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Tributes
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Joni McShane sent America the Beautiful for Nelson Joseph Kick Jr. - August 14, 2025
With our heartfelt condolences to you and your family Mary Ann, we send our love and prayers. May God Bless you all. Love, The McShane Family-Jim, Joni, Jimmy, & Nate
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Lisa Huesman sent Beautiful Dreams for Nelson Joseph Kick Jr. - August 11, 2025
With heartfelt sympathy and love to your entire family during this time of loss, you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Love Dan, Lisa and Cal
Condolences
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July 29, 2025
Nelson was a fantastic man! He did quite a bit of training for our Wake Tech Business & Industry corporate customers. He always hit the home run and made us look great. And may I add, he was a very kind gentleman! He is missed.
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July 25, 2025
I will greatly miss Nelson as he enriched my life personally and professionally in so many ways throughout the years as a colleague at Wake Tech and then as a retiree. He made so many contributions to Wake Tech in the field of automation and robotics and was always a champion for the college in retirement. As the executive director of the college's foundation, I often worked with him closely to acquire equipment for his lab of which he took great pride. I loved the knowledge, discipline and great humor he brought to all of his endeavors. He was a one of a kind!
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July 21, 2025
Love and peace to Nelson's family. The Wake Tech Retirees
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July 18, 2025
Nelson Kick - A great friend and mentor. I served with Nelson on the USS Trutta SS421 - he was my Engineering Officer during 1971-1972. To his family - May God hold you in his arms and heal the sorrow that you feel. James and Rosa Melton
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