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Nick Willis #245916 01/27/2021 11:58 AM Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 5,680 An island state of mind tradewinds OP Traveler OP tradewinds Traveler Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 5,680 An island state of mind Nick Willis passed away yesterday after a brief battle with cancer. Godspeed, my friend.

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #245920 01/27/2021 12:10 PM Joined: Aug 2000 Posts: 83,979 Likes: 4 Central Florida! Carol_Hill Traveler Carol_Hill Traveler Joined: Aug 2000 Posts: 83,979 Likes: 4 Central Florida! Wow, our condolences to Monica and their friends and family. Carol Hill

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #245923 01/27/2021 12:21 PM Joined: May 2002 Posts: 17,132 Likes: 1 Tortola/ Sonoma, California Manpot Traveler Manpot Traveler Joined: May 2002 Posts: 17,132 Likes: 1 Tortola/ Sonoma, California No words..just farewelll to a gentle, funloving, kind and generous human being. What great memories from " The Duck N Dive" to "Foxy's". All love to Monica.

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #245924 01/27/2021 12:32 PM Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 297 ORIENTAL,NC D DaveZ Traveler DaveZ Traveler D Joined: Nov 2007 Posts: 297 ORIENTAL,NC Very sad to hear that. Nick always had a kind word and treated us well whenever we landed at Leverick. RIP.

Re: Nick Willis DaveZ #245925 01/27/2021 12:43 PM Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 3,620 Woodstock, GA RickinAtlanta Traveler RickinAtlanta Traveler Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 3,620 Woodstock, GA Very sorry to hear of Nick's passing! Always was kind and welcoming to Belinda and I. I hope he took his favorite drink glass with him to heaven. Our condolences and love to you Monzie!

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #245926 01/27/2021 12:50 PM Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,199 Devon, UK salica Traveler salica Traveler Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,199 Devon, UK We are raising a glass to Nick at 8pm this evening wherever in the world you are. Join us in celebrating his life and the wonderful friendships he made.

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #245929 01/27/2021 01:05 PM Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 2,591 Likes: 2 St. Lucia Zanshin Traveler Zanshin Traveler Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 2,591 Likes: 2 St. Lucia How very sad - I have so many memories of great times with Nick and Monika and only 2 pictures (that I can show) Attached Images

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #245931 01/27/2021 01:27 PM Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 7,193 Likes: 3 GA/NC GeorgeC1 Traveler GeorgeC1 Traveler Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 7,193 Likes: 3 GA/NC Terrible news to hear. I always hoped he would come back to Leverick! G

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #245932 01/27/2021 01:34 PM Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 4,036 U.K. and Spain Jeannius Traveler Jeannius Traveler Joined: Sep 2002 Posts: 4,036 U.K. and Spain Can't believe it. Such awful news. So many great times with Nick and Monica. So sorry Monica. Mike http://sailingjeannius.blogspot.com

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #245933 01/27/2021 01:35 PM Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 5,861 Bradenton, FL Winterstale Traveler Winterstale Traveler Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 5,861 Bradenton, FL Would be lovely to do a memorial for him there at some point when we can all get down....

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #245934 01/27/2021 01:40 PM Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 1,901 Maine Breeze Traveler Breeze Traveler Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 1,901 Maine What a bloody waste of a damn fine retirement ! On the wings of the wind, Nick, may the Universe show you a rockin' good time in all your next adventures. Monica, I'm sorry as i can be, but we don't get to refuse the last call. I hope you give us a few words now and then just so we know how you're getting along.

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #245940 01/27/2021 02:43 PM Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,390 Ill, USA Will_L Traveler Will_L Traveler Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,390 Ill, USA Sad news in a year with lots of sadness. We missed Nick and Monica as well. Godspeed. Last edited by Will_L; 01/27/2021 02:43 PM.

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #245943 01/27/2021 03:26 PM Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 4,056 Buffalo, NY LauraTheTshirtGal Traveler LauraTheTshirtGal Traveler Joined: Mar 2003 Posts: 4,056 Buffalo, NY such a beautiful human being, will be greatly missed cheers! Laura Custom Sailing Shirts https://www.facebook.com/pages/CustomSailingShirtscom/112040245530182 www.customsailingshirts.com sales@customsailingshirts.com

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #245946 01/27/2021 03:52 PM Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 4,214 Toledo, OH, USA Orange_Burst Traveler Orange_Burst Traveler Joined: Feb 2001 Posts: 4,214 Toledo, OH, USA Nick was always so kind opening his arms and home to so many. He will be deeply missed Colleen

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #245948 01/27/2021 04:05 PM Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 95 Indiana Calvin Traveler Calvin Traveler Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 95 Indiana We are sad to learn of Nick's passing. We send our condolences to Monica and their friends. Calvin & Pam

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #245949 01/27/2021 04:57 PM Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,318 MD, USA Dirichlet Traveler Dirichlet Traveler Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,318 MD, USA I haven't been on here in years, but I must pay my respect here to Nick. When we first met he knew me from nowhere but TTOL, yet welcomed me into his home as if I was a family member that he hadn't seen in a few years. The love, kindness, and humor of that man will be missed by all that knew him, and are a loss for all who didn't. .... until we meet again, old friend. ... DIF all the time...

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #245952 01/27/2021 05:22 PM Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,430 New Jersey, USA DanS Traveler DanS Traveler Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,430 New Jersey, USA I am shocked and saddened. I met Nick only one time, for about 10 seconds, on the dock at Leverick. Even that brief encounter left me with a fun memory. Dan

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #245957 01/27/2021 07:43 PM Joined: May 2008 Posts: 860 C Cleobeach Traveler Cleobeach Traveler C Joined: May 2008 Posts: 860 We had the pleasure of meeting Nick several times over the years when we rented houses in Mahoe. Nick always took care of our Leverick reservations and would swing by to check in on us and say hello at the Jumbie, MB’s shows and when dining upstairs. I feel like I “know” him from reading this forum for years.

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #245960 01/27/2021 09:15 PM Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 482 7 706jim Traveler 706jim Traveler 7 Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 482 Got to meet him about ten years ago at Leverick. A fine fellow who will be missed by many.

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #245966 01/28/2021 09:11 AM Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 434 Northern IL bagsarepacked Traveler bagsarepacked Traveler Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 434 Northern IL Very sad to hear of his passing. I had the pleasure of staying at Leverick for a week on a land based trip. He was so kind and helpful. Always enjoyed our overnights there while on charter and saying hello and having a some laughs. Heaven gained a good soul that will be missed by many here.

Re: Nick Willis Winterstale #245971 01/28/2021 10:38 AM Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 974 Gulf Shores AL lindakay Traveler lindakay Traveler Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 974 Gulf Shores AL Originally Posted by Winterstale Would be lovely to do a memorial for him there at some point when we can all get down.... Totally agree, Bridget.

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #245984 01/28/2021 12:37 PM Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 5,861 Bradenton, FL Winterstale Traveler Winterstale Traveler Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 5,861 Bradenton, FL If there was ever a reason to revive the TTOL Flotilla? This would be it......

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #245989 01/28/2021 01:41 PM Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 112 marisol Traveler marisol Traveler Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 112 This is such sad news. I had been hoping that Nick would return to Leverick Bay at some point. He did a fabulous job making the resort such a success. He was always such a welcoming presence there and always so kind to my kids! A great loss for his family.

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #245993 01/28/2021 02:14 PM Joined: May 2002 Posts: 17,132 Likes: 1 Tortola/ Sonoma, California Manpot Traveler Manpot Traveler Joined: May 2002 Posts: 17,132 Likes: 1 Tortola/ Sonoma, California I cant help but imagine Saildoggie greeting Nick at the Pearly Gates..now that would be something to behold! Cant stop thinking about dear Nick and just how amazingly kind and generous he was to friends and strangers alike. I am hoping Richard Branson who was very close to Nick is reaching out to Monica.Love the idea of a celebration for Nick at Leverick but I dont think we could all fit in the red phone box at the end of the dock!

Re: Nick Willis Manpot #246001 01/28/2021 04:23 PM Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 3,620 Woodstock, GA RickinAtlanta Traveler RickinAtlanta Traveler Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 3,620 Woodstock, GA Originally Posted by Manpot I cant help but imagine Saildoggie greeting Nick at the Pearly Gates..now that would be something to behold! Cant stop thinking about dear Nick and just how amazingly kind and generous he was to friends and strangers alike. I am hoping Richard Branson who was very close to Nick is reaching out to Monica.Love the idea of a celebration for Nick at Leverick but I dont think we could all fit in the red phone box at the end of the dock! We could damn sure try!

Re: Nick Willis Manpot #246020 01/28/2021 08:33 PM Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 42 Lindenhurst, NY DavidS Traveler DavidS Traveler Joined: Nov 2009 Posts: 42 Lindenhurst, NY Spot on, we only met Nick & Monica once while spending a few days in a slip at Leverick a dozen years ago and he made us feel beyond welcome. Dave Swenson S/V Priscilla 60' Gaff Rigged 1888 Oyster Sloop Long Island Maritime Museum W. Sayville, N.Y.

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #246024 01/28/2021 09:33 PM Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,347 USVI LocalSailor Traveler LocalSailor Traveler Joined: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,347 USVI Sad to hear - my thoughts and condolences to family and all his friends everywhere. As a Caribbean resident for many decades I always respected his honest helpful attitude - he took care of sailors! A stalwart of the Caribbean host community.

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #246065 01/29/2021 12:02 PM Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 172 Roseville, Minnesota Swifty Traveler Swifty Traveler Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 172 Roseville, Minnesota I took this photo last night in memory of Nick. He certainly made Leverick a special place for so many. Attached Images

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #246066 01/29/2021 12:04 PM Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 5,861 Bradenton, FL Winterstale Traveler Winterstale Traveler Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 5,861 Bradenton, FL Mal - a celebration at Leverick would be amazing. Sir Richard was on CBS yesterday morning - live from Leverick - talking about the hyperloop. I believe Bruce reached out to Gumption when we found out Nick was so sick to let Richard know - I am sure someone has given him the news by now. Anybody for a dinghy poker run in his honor??? June 2022 might be realistic??? Better later than never???

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #246086 01/29/2021 05:06 PM Joined: May 2002 Posts: 17,132 Likes: 1 Tortola/ Sonoma, California Manpot Traveler Manpot Traveler Joined: May 2002 Posts: 17,132 Likes: 1 Tortola/ Sonoma, California I'm in..

Re: Nick Willis Swifty #246087 01/29/2021 05:23 PM Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,430 New Jersey, USA DanS Traveler DanS Traveler Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,430 New Jersey, USA Originally Posted by Swifty I took this photo last night in memory of Nick. He certainly made Leverick a special place for so many. Very fitting, and a helluva good photo. Dan

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #246088 01/29/2021 05:30 PM Joined: May 2006 Posts: 886 Louisville, KY NoelHall Traveler NoelHall Traveler Joined: May 2006 Posts: 886 Louisville, KY I suspect a good way to memorialize Nick is to conduct ourselves like Nick. Big smile and great attitude. Rest in peace my friend. Last edited by NoelHall; 01/29/2021 05:31 PM. Noel Hall "It is humbling indeed, to discover my own opinion is only correct less than 50% of the time." www.noelhall.com

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #246090 01/29/2021 06:04 PM Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 422 Hooterville, NC JCnNC Traveler JCnNC Traveler Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 422 Hooterville, NC I have not logged in for many moons but had to jump in here. I did not know Nick well like many of you did. He was always such a pleasure to interact with, and I have to imagine that Nick touched so many people in positive ways that left a smile on their faces. Rest in peace, Nick, and condolences to his family and loved ones.

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #246122 01/30/2021 09:46 AM Joined: May 2011 Posts: 1,220 JAX jphart Traveler jphart Traveler Joined: May 2011 Posts: 1,220 JAX Nick helped my crew and me several times with great overnight visits at Leverick. At my last stay, he came down to the dock to specifically see us away in the morning. A great guy and he will be missed. I don’t know if it was his idea, but I always thought it was great marketing to give away a free bag of ice with a stay for us TTOL folks. A $3.00 bag of ice for free usually resulted in a couple of hundred dollars of spend. Godspeed Nick!

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #246125 01/30/2021 10:09 AM Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 7,193 Likes: 3 GA/NC GeorgeC1 Traveler GeorgeC1 Traveler Joined: Apr 2002 Posts: 7,193 Likes: 3 GA/NC He also kept his dock rates very reasonable which resulted in full docks and lots of shore spending. G

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #246127 01/30/2021 10:37 AM Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 5,861 Bradenton, FL Winterstale Traveler Winterstale Traveler Joined: Oct 2008 Posts: 5,861 Bradenton, FL Let's face it....Nick and Monica were the ENTIRE reason we all loved Leverick Bay.....God knows it wasn't the onshore showers.....

Re: Nick Willis Winterstale #246130 01/30/2021 11:28 AM Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 209 Maryland S ScottW Traveler ScottW Traveler S Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 209 Maryland And for us land based vacationers, Nick offered a TTOL discount for villas in Mahoe. One email and he took care of everything. Villa, car, grocery delivery, jumbies reservations. Scott

Re: Nick Willis Winterstale #246133 01/30/2021 11:55 AM Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 2,591 Likes: 2 St. Lucia Zanshin Traveler Zanshin Traveler Joined: Mar 2008 Posts: 2,591 Likes: 2 St. Lucia I have to admit that the main reason for me to dock and stay at Leverick was the hospitality of Nick (and Monika). The place changed once they left and I cannot think of a better host than Nick. I will miss him sorely!

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #246139 01/30/2021 03:45 PM Joined: May 2002 Posts: 17,132 Likes: 1 Tortola/ Sonoma, California Manpot Traveler Manpot Traveler Joined: May 2002 Posts: 17,132 Likes: 1 Tortola/ Sonoma, California I have heard from several friends of Nick's and we all seem to find it hard that this jovial force of nature has gone. The world would be a much better place with many more Nick and Monicas.. Last edited by Manpot; 01/30/2021 03:46 PM.

Re: Nick Willis tradewinds #246141 01/30/2021 04:32 PM Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 787 Calgary B bonefish Traveler bonefish Traveler B Joined: Jan 2005 Posts: 787 Calgary Sad to hear about Nick.