Funeral Services Set For Nick Pratico

Funeral services for a Mercer County Community College student who was found dead Monday across the street from the college are set for next week.

The family of Nicholas Pratico will receive family and friends on Monday, Oct. 30, 2017, from 9 a.m. to noon at St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church, according to an online obituary. The church is located at 626 South Olden Avenue in Hamilton, NJ, 08610.

The funeral follows at noon at the church. There will be no calling hours at the funeral home, and interment will be private.

Pratico was last seen on Sept. 20 after he registered for classes for his upcoming freshman semester. On Monday, Oct. 23, Hamilton Township police announced that his body had been found across the street from the college on Old Trenton Avenue in West Windsor at around 10 a.m. The community has already shown an outpouring of sympathy for the family.

The full obituary, as posted on brennafuneralhome.com, can be found below:

Nicholas Felix “Nicky” Pratico, 18, of Hamilton Township, passed away on Monday, October 23, 2017.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Nicky was a life-long Hamilton Township resident.

He was a graduating member of the Class of 2017 of Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, NJ, where he spent four years training in the school’s theatre program. A passion for performing, Nicky recently received a scholarship to attend the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts in New York City, starting in January. He trained for vocals and acting in Princeton and Bordentown and performed in their summer shows. He enjoyed film, and making shorts and music videos with friends, for school and leisure.

Nicky played soccer for Notre Dame High School and for Rancocas Valley Travel, and in Recreational Soccer Leagues, he played CYO Basketball, and enjoyed playing pick-up games outside of school.

Nicky was passionate about working with children and adults with special needs. He volunteered with the Sunshine Foundation, The Visitation Home, and would attend Special Olympics basketball games. He also volunteered his time at senior centers as well. He was a lover of all people, and he loved unconditionally. Nicky inspired everyone to “chase their dreams and to never back down”, because with Nicky-there are no cant’s.

Pre-Deceased by his paternal grandparents, Felix P. and Rose Pratico; his maternal grandfather, Nicholas J. Solimando; his aunts and uncles, Loretta Chester, Carmella Pratico, and Dennis Williams; he is survived by his parents, Mark A. and Maria Solimando Pratico; his brother, Mark A. Pratico, II; his sister, Marysa Pratico: his maternal grandmother, Carmela F. Parvesse Solimando; his aunts and uncles, Deborah and Nicholas Solimando; Mary and Denny Morris, Terry Williams, Ramona and Tommy Kinnevy, Anna Marie and Gary Radice, Frances and Chris Kozicz, and Phil and Susan Pratico; and many cousins, and dear friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, October 30, 2017, at 12:00 noon, at St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church, 626 South Olden Avenue, Hamilton, NJ 08610.

The family will receive family and friends on Monday, October 30, 2017, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, at St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church, 626 South Olden Avenue, Hamilton, NJ 08610.

There will be no calling hours at the funeral home.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you support performing arts scholarships in Nick Pratico’s name, by donating to Recreational Arts at www.rexarts.org or to support Nicky’s appreciation of those with special needs, donate to the Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org.

To send condolences to the family, please visit www.brennafuneralhome.com

Arrangements are under the direction of Brenna Funeral Home, Immordino Chapel, 1799 Klockner Road, Hamilton, NJ 08619.