Obituary of Nicholas Richard Brauss

BRAUSS, Nicholas Richard It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate I am the captain of my soul Invictus W.E. Henley On Tuesday, the 7th of July, 2020, the mortal life of our wild, beautiful boy ended tragically, the victim of a motor vehicle accident in Hubley, Nova Scotia. Our collective hearts are shattered at the loss of his young, vibrant life. Nicholas was just 28 years old. Born on August 15th, 1991 in Windsor, Ontario to Richard W. Brauss and M. Allison Clarke, Nicholas was an active, intelligent child who grew to an adventurous young man interested in art, music, sports. literature and a love of skateboarding. He was educated in Halifax and the Annapolis Valley, finishing out his high school years at both West Kings District High School and Landmark East School. Nicholas’ life was blessed with an exceptional family, long abiding friendships and deep love. Charismatic and fearless, Nick went on to become a man who relished in the risk, lived in the margins of thought and action and forged a unique path, intent on living life fully and on his own terms. His was a life of challenges and complexities, yet Nicky always circled back, returning to take solace in the strength, love and encouragement of his clan. He remains with us, in this circle of connected souls, where we hear whispers of his laughter and see glimpses of his smile, and the word “Mom” drifting on the wind. We are the privileged to have had him, been in his orbit, even for a brief moment of time. He is Ours and We are His, always. Nicholas is predeceased by his father, Richard W. Brauss and grandfather, Werner Eric Brauss. He is survived by his mother Allison, step-father Canadian Armed Forces Military Police Sergeant Stephen Murphy, step-siblings Jessica and Johnathan Murphy, all of Halifax, Nova Scotia, grandfather F. Allister Clarke of Oxford, N.S., grandmother Barbara Clarke of New Glasgow, N.S. and grandmother Grace Brauss of Moncton, New Brunswick. Also surviving are uncles, John (Susan), Colin and David, Auntie Annemarie Holm, cousins Katrina, Alexander, Sophia and Lily, as well as extended family and a multitude of friends, spanning coast to coast. Our family are deeply grateful for the care and compassion shown to Nicholas by Emergency Services, RCMP personnel and all subsequent professional services involved with the July 7th collision. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Harbourside Crematorium. We shall soon gather to celebrate the life of this remarkable man, with details of the event to be released via social media. A private internment ceremony will then take place at Brookside Cemetery, New Glasgow, Nova Scotia under the direction of Angus Funeral Home. Donations in memory of Nicholas to the John Howard Society of Nova Scotia or Phoenix Centre for Youth, Halifax are gratefully accepted. Messages of condolence to the family are welcomed at rememberingNRBrauss@gmail.com.