Obituary of Nicholas Michael 'Nick' Lesniak, 28

Nicholas Michael “Nick” Lesniak passed away unexpectedly on August 26, 2018 at the age of 28. He was blessed with intelligence, charm, a beautiful smile and never met a person he couldn’t talk to. Underneath all that was a tortured soul who battled mental illness from the time he was an adolescent. To take away some of his pain, he made the unfortunate choice to use drugs and became addicted. The rest of his life became a battle to overcome his addiction and mental illness and the consequences of the choices he made because of his illness and addiction.

Nicholas was the only son of Michael and Tammy Lesniak and brother to Ashley Lesniak of Spring Mills. He is also survived by his Maternal Grandmother, Harriet Wolfe, of Spring Mills, Uncles and Aunts; Scott Wolfe of Spring Mills, Steve Wolfe and his wife, Tammy, of Centre Hall, Adam Wolfe and his wife, Melanie, of Lansdale, PA and Grant Wolfe and his wife, Josie, of Woodstock, GA; and Jennifer Smith and her husband, Brad, of Zionsville, IN, Great Aunt Meg Davidson and her husband, George of Bellefonte, as well as a long list of extended family members and friends.

Nick was predeceased by his maternal grandfather Harold Wolfe, paternal grandparents Stanley and Sylvia Lesniak and Aunt Suzanne Lesniak.
Nick graduated from Brockport High School in 2007. He then attended Rochester Institute of Technology, majoring in International Relations with a minor in Russian. He was a member of Phi Kappa Tau before he joined the National Guard in 2010. Nick then transferred to active duty in the Army where he served for a year as a Cavalry Scout.

Nick loved the beach and spending quiet time there. He also wrote many poems. He had one published in 2003 in a book called “The Colors of Life”.

Nick tried to help others despite his own situation, sharing his food and giving away clothes. He told his family and friends, that “life is like throwing a pebble in a pond. You never know how the ripples may affect someone you will never know.” In that spirit smile at a stranger, offer a helping hand and consider a donation in his memory to the K-9’s for Warriors Program at https://www.k9sforwarriors.org , Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, particularly Bipolar Disorder and PTSD at https://www.bbrfoundation.org, or to the Veterans Assistance Fund, PO Box 546, Centre Hall, PA 16828.

Visitation with family will be on Saturday, September 1, 2018 from 10-11am with a memorial service to follow at the Daughenbaugh Funeral Home in Centre Hall with Pastor K.R. Mele officiating. Burial will be private.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Daughenbaugh Funeral Home, Inc 228 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Centre Hall, PA 16828. An online guest book can be signed or condolences to the family available at www.daughenbaughfuneralhome.com.