Dear Sarah and family,

I am very sorry to hear that Nic has left this adventure of life.

He will be in the sky watching over you now.

My sincerest sympathies.

Dear David, Maureen and Family,

We are very sorry for the loss of your son Nic . Please accept our heartfelt condolences for the loss of your loved one. Our thoughts, prayers and wishes go out to you at this difficult time.

Dear David, Maureen and Sarah

We just recently heard of the sudden loss of your son. It is with profound sadness that we extend our sympathies to you. Nic sounded like an amazing person who touched the lives of many and will be terribly missed. I know his memory will be cherished in your hearts and heads forever.

Our deepest sympathy

Phil & Wanda Hierath

Dear Maureen and David

So very sorry to hear of your loss. Please accept my deepest sympathy.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Sincerely,

Janice Elliott

Dear Maureen and David,

I just learned of your son Nic’s death. Please accept my condolences and please know I’m thinking of the both of you and your family. I can’t imagine what this has been like for you.

Michele Nanchoff

Maureen, David and family

our deepest sympathies on your loss.

Lisa

Dear David and Maureen,

Please accept my deepest and heart-felt condolences.

I’m thinking of you both, and Sarah too.

With respect,

Andy Smith

– Manitoulin Island, Ontario

Dear Maureen and family! The news about your unthinkable loss has shocked and saddened me to tears! Even though I do not know your family and did not know your son, as a parent who wants nothing but the best for their children and who dreams best things for their future, I truly and deeply sympathise with you and mourn your loss. I hope you will find strength in precious memories of Nic to carry you through these challenging times.

Sincerely,

Buba

Maureen and family,

What a wonderful tribute to Nic’s life. Although I didn’t know him personally, it was easy to conclude he was very talented and very loved. From the musical production, loving family photos and the brightly colored attire, it was easy to see the light he brought to his loved ones.

His wisdom of ‘get up always underlined’ really resounded this weekend when I was lacking in energy. A little chuckle escaped when I repeated his life quote, out loud, to no one in particular. It made me realize how each day is precious and a gift even when you feel a little down.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

What an amazing, cool service you held for your son! I am confident he is proud of the celebration you put together for him, I will never forget it! My heart goes out to all of you!

We are thinking of you all with prayer and great concern at this terrible time. Hoping that happy memories will smooth the path at least a little for you. joanne and family

Dear David and Maureen, thinking of you both with a heavy heart. While I had never met your son, I can only imagine through knowing you how wonderful he would be. I am so sorry for your loss.

Fraser

Dear Maureen, David, Sarah and Teya,

I am so sad to hear about your son Nic’s passing. There is no pain deeper than losing a child. My heart and prayers goes out to all of you at this most difficult time.

I watched the ceremony online and it was so beautiful and touching. What a wonderful young man Nic was and what an unbelievable and terrible loss. I felt the love you all have for him and each other. I hope you find comfort in your memories and that love. My tears, thoughts and hugs are with you all.

My heart and prayers are with you.

Maureen and David:

Our thoughts and prayers with you and your family during this most difficult time.- for strength, for comfort and for resilience.

Anurag and Mitra Saxena

I am so deeply saddened by your tremendous loss. My thoughts, prayers and tears are with you and your family.

Heather

Maureen and David

We are so terribly saddened to hear the news of Nic’s passing. We remember him as a very kind young man who was generous in sharing his time and ‘toys’ with our children who were all younger than he.

It is ironic that we have learned of this while on holiday in Britain, and had been thinking of your family prior to receiving this news.

You and Sarah are in our thoughts and prayers and you have our deepest condolences.

Tom and Sarah Crichton

David, Maureen, Sarah and Teya

I’m so sorry we can’t be with you all today to celebrate Nic’s life, however we send all our heartfelt love to everyone. Nic was a special person who touched the hearts of many and we are proud to have been part of his life.

Love to all the family,

Gordon, Maddie, Olly and Finlay

Maureen and family –

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your son. He was, by all accounts above, an amazing person. You and the world will forever cherish what he shared and accomplished during his life. You must be so proud!

We are so sorry to hear of Nic’s passing. Although we did not have the privilege of knowing Nic, we know how special he was through our friendship with the Smith family. He was a remarkable young man that brought joy to so many.

Please accept our sincere condolences.

With deepest sympathy,

Greg and Amy Gerlitz and family

With deepest sympathy as you remember Nic. My sincerest condolences.

Dear Maureen, David, Sarah and Teya,

It’s difficult to find words to express how sorry we feel for your loss. We send our love and prayers to you all at this tragic time.

Sincerely,

Lana, Jezzamyn and Brielle

Dear Maureen,

Please accept my heartfelt condolences on Nichol’s sudden passing. You and your family are constantly in my thoughts and prayers. May you and your family find strength in each other and your close circle during this very difficult time.

Farah

David, Maureen and Sarah

Our sincere condolences in losing Nichol. We only knew him for the short while that we were neighbors, but he was a person that we could never forget. He was such a free spirit and full of life. May his memories last forever.

Dear David, Maureen and Family,

I’m so sorry to hear about your tragic loss… I can’t find the words to express my sincere sympathy and sadness for this unbelievable loss. May you all find peace, strength and comfort to deal with this difficult time. I’m sorry that I could not be with you on Wednesday to celebrate Nic’s life as I’m currently out of the country.

Please accept my heartfelt condolence and sympathy.

Mohammed

My sincere condolence and sympathy on the loss of your son Nic. Although I had not met him the remarks made by others substantiated that he was an intelligent, athletic, compassionate and accomplished gentleman. The world has lost a great soul. May memories be with you to ease the sorrow.

Bob Bell

Dear Maureen, David, Sarah and Teya,

My family and I are terribly sorry to hear of the sudden passing and loss of your son, brother and best friend, Nic. May his spirit and passion for life, live on in your hearts and know he is watching over you. May God bless you in this most difficult time.

Respecfully,

Sandy, Natasha, Lukas and Mathias Dubyk

Dear David, Maureen and family,

My deepest sympathies to you all on the loss of your dear son. My prayers and thoughts are with you during this time of great sorrow.

Sincerely,

Cindy Raugust

Dear David & Family,

My condolences for your tragic loss. Thinking of you at this difficult time,

Carrie Sherlock

Dear David and Maureen,

I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts of warmth and support are with you and your family.

Laura

Dear Maureen and David,

I was deeply saddened to hear of the loss of your son. Although I did not have the honour of meeting Nic, one has a sense of his life being full of vibrancy and joy. You and your family have been much in my thoughts this past week.

Sincerely,

Sara Pawlik

We were so shocked and saddened to hear of Nic’s passing. As others have expressed as well, the loss of a child is every parent’s greatest fear. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. May the love of your family and friends help to get you all through this tough time. Our sincere condolences.

Dear Maureen and David,

I was so sorry to hear your news. I wanted to send our condolences and our thoughts are with you.

Alison & Edgar

David and Maureen,

Cathy and I share the shock and grief expressed in all of the previous condolence notes. We watched the service this evening online (thank you for that) and raised a glass to toast Nic and his very short but obviously very full life.

With heavy hearts we would like to extend our deepest sympathies on the tragic loss of your son and brother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

Julie, Lilly

Maureen and family

My thoughts go out to you and your family and friends.

Nicole Johnson from Peds UME.

My condolences to Nic’s family during this difficult time. I can’t imagine what you are going through. I only knew Nic during his time in Air Cadets, but it was clear that he was an amazing person with so many talents.

He was taken from this world far too soon.

David and Maureen,

Very sad news. Words are inadequate.

Please know that your many friends and colleagues in Sudbury are thinking of you both at this difficult time.

~dave

Dear Maureen and David,

I would like to express my deepest sympathy for you and your family for your tragic loss. Please accept my condolences.

Gerald

Dear Maureen and David,

You likely will not remember me but I was a medical student working with David in the early nineties and have always remembered the great education I received from him in his clinic in Airdrie. My wife and I were truly shocked and deeply saddened by the news of your son’s passing. This news was distributed by our division of cardiology at FMC.

Please accept our heartfelt sympathies to you and your family at this very difficult time in your lives. Please know we are thinking of you and you will continue to be in our thoughts.

Hamid

Dear Maureen and David,

I was shocked and saddened to hear of your son Nic’s passing. Please accept my deepest sympathy. You and your family are in my thoughts. I’m sorry I can’t be with you on Wednesday.

Tom

Dear Maureen, David and families,

Please accept our deep sympathy for your loss. May the wonderful memories of your son be a comfort now and in the future.

Lynn and Hans

Dear David, Maureen, and Sarah,

I am so saddened by the loss of your beloved Nic.

Life seems so random at times like this, and I know there will never be a way to make sense of this tragic loss. I have spent so much time in the past week thinking of you all, and the rest of your family and friends.

The one thought that my mind keeps returning to is: I think that if Nic had been told his life would last only 21 years, he could not have lived it any more fully than he did.

What a life!

Along with you, he travelled the world and experienced cultures and activities that most will never see. He had a talent for so many things, from sports, to music, academics, to humour. He loved his family and never seemed afraid to demonstrate that by choosing to spend time with you, even as a young man with so very many friends. He found the one true love of his life, Teya. He left every life he touched a bit happier, in fact, I am smiling now thinking of some of his goofy antics!

He made his family proud.

I know that if he had been given more time, he would have changed the world even more, but what an accomplishment for such a young man to have already left it a better place because he was here!

My heart is with you all.

Love from Sandra

My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

Jennifer

Maureen and David,

You are having to deal with something that is unthinkable to a parent. I am so sorry. Words escape me. Just know that I am thinking about you constantly and sending vast amounts of love.

Bruce

Maureen and David,

My sincerest condolences to you and your family on the loss of your son. My prayers and thoughts are with you at this time.

Audrey

Hello Drs. David & Maureen Topps,

I would like to express my deepest sympathy to you and your family for your tragic loss. May the Lord grant you the fortitude to bear the loss.

Please accept my condolences.

May his gentle soul rest in Peace……………Amen

Maureen, David and Sarah

On behalf of everyone in UME, our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to you on the loss of your son/brother.

You are in our prayers and thoughts.

UME – Cumming School of Medicine

Dear Maureen and David:

My deepest symapthy to you on the loss of your son, Nic (May his soul rest in Peace).

And may God give you the courage and strength as you go through this difficult time.

I was so sorry to hear of your loss. My condolences to you and your family.

Shelley

Maureen and David,

My sincere condolences to you and your family on the loss of your son. My prayers and thoughts are with you.

Belinda

Dear Maureen & David,

I was so sad to hear about the death of your son, Nic. Keep his memories close to your heart and share them each day with family & friends. You and your family will be in my prayers.

Dear David, Maureen and Sarah. We Just found out about Nichol! We are SO SORRY for your Loss. We Share in your Sadness and Bewilderment Of the passing of such a Young Vibrant Soul. Our Deepest Condolences.

Dear David & Maureen,

Our sincere condolences in the tragic loss of your son Nichol. No one can truly understand how difficult this must be. There are just no words! Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time. Take care.

Dear Maureen and David,

My heart and soul are filled with sorrow for your loss. I remember Nic (he was 8 at the time) from the party you hosted for the residents at your house in Airdrie. He had a tremendous amount of energy (we were jumping on a bouncy castle at the time) and such a great smile and spirit. The world is most certainly darker without him. I wish you both strength in this difficult time.

Maureen

I was deeply saddened to hear of your tragic loss. My condolences to you, David, and your family during this difficult time.

Lisa

Dear Maureen, David and Sarah

You are never far from my thoughts and prayers. Nic’s passing is so unbelievable and awful. I am so sorry for your loss.

So sad to learn of the passing of Nic. We are just so blessed to have had the opportunity to share some great memories of him with your trip to Oz and our glorious sailing adventure in the Whitsundays. Our thoughts are with you all love, hugs and kisses from Julia, Dave, Jessica and James xxxx

The Australian relatives of the Topps family all send their love to you at this incomprehensible time. We hope the service on Wednesday brings some laughs as well as tears, and that you find yourselves overwhelmed with support and wonderful memories.

Dear Maureen & David,

I was so sad to hear from mum and dad that Nichol had died. We send our deepest condolences, and the assurance of our thoughts and prayers.

With sympathy and love,

Linzi (nee Birnie)

Maureen, David and Family,

I am so deeply sorry to read about the death of your son. Please accept my condolences. I am out of the province, but you will be in my thoughts as you celebrate and honour Nic’s life and accomplishments this week.

Dear Maureen and David: I am so sorry to hear of your great loss. You will be in my thoughts and prayers, asking God to give you his peace, comfort and strength for the coming days.

Elfrieda Heiden

Sincerest, heartfelt condolences to both of you, Maureen and David, and to the family. He’s left his memories behind for a lifetime to all that knew him. I know Carmen shares in these thoughts – and we both share in the shock and sadnesses expressed in this collection of tributes. Our hugs for you.

Dear Maureen, David & family,

It was with great sadness that we heard of Nic’s sudden death. We send you all our sincere sympathy and loving thoughts at this difficult time.

John & Helen

Dear Maureen and David,

Our hearts go out to you and your family at the sudden death of your amazing son. We cannot imagine your feelings of loss and know words offer little comfort when suffering such profound sorrow. Know you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Marianna and Ron Hofmeister

Dear Maureen and David,

It is with a very heavy heart and tears in my eyes that I extend my deepest condolences to you, Nic’s sister Sarah, his soul mate Teya, and all your family.

With affection,

Sanjeev

Dear Maureen, David and Family,

My thoughts and prayers are with you at this very sad time. I can’t even imagine the difficult moments you are passing through at this time. Please accept my deepest condolences.

Juan Antonio

Glenn and I give our deepest sympathy for the loss of your son, brother of Sarah, girlfriend Teya, for this sudden unexplained loss. His spirit will always be with you all.

Dear David and Maureen,

We were stunned and saddened to hear about your loss. Please know that you are very much in our thoughts. Sympathies, condolences and may you find some peace in this most devastating of times.

Chris and Donna

Maureen and David,

My sincerest condolences for this unspeakably grave loss. You both and your family will be in my prayers.

Violin

David, Maureen and Sarah,

We just cannot imagine what you are going through right now – and to know that Euan and Nic are together now is saddening but hopefully will eventually bring some comfort in this huge loss. We pray that in time this overwhelming sorrow will be balanced with those many wonderful and happy memories in keeping his spirit alive within you. Life is so unfair at times. We pray for peace in your souls. Thinking of you. Greg and Linda

Maureen and David,

It is with a great deal of sadness that I learned of the passing of your son Nic. Although I did not have the privledge to meet Nic, knowing both of you assures me he was a wonderful man in this life and assuredly so in the next. I cannot begin to appreciate the enormity of what you must be feeling; if there is any way possible that I can help, please, please let me know. Thoughts and prayers my friends,

Bernard

Maureen, David, Sarah,

We are heartbroken for you all on the loss of your beautiful Nic, taken so suddenly, a life so full of promise cut short. We have lovely memories of knowing him in Sudbury, his dry wit, his speed on the track, his skill on the soccer field, and his extra shiny boots. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Marc, Maria, Alan and Conor.

There are no words that can express how sorry I am for your loss. As a parent I cannot imagine the pain. My deepest condolences.

Armand

Dear Maureen and David, brokenhearted,

So sorry to hear of this absolute disaster that has befallen your family. Sean sends his condolences, and wonders if he can help with anything (we fly back to Calgary tomorrow).

With love, Janet

Dear Maureen,

My heartfelt condolences to you and your family on the devastating loss of your son. May the memories of all the wonderful times you shared as a family be of comfort to you during this difficult time.

Myrna

Dearest Drs Topps –

I was shocked to learn of your loss. My thoughts have been with you and your family ever since. So very sorry.

– Corinne

Dear Maureen and David:

I am very sorry about your the loss of your beloved son. You are in my prayers. Please accept my condolences,

Fariba

Dear Maureen and David,

I was so sorry to hear of your family’s sudden and tragic loss, and send my condolences. Words do no justice, but please know that my thoughts and those of my wife and the members of the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology are with you at this terribly difficult time.

Jonathan, Laura & the BMB Dept

Dear Maureen, David and family:

My sincere condolences for your family’s tragic loss. There are no words to properly express this. You will be in my thoughts.

Jordan

Maureen,

Please accept our heartfelt sympathies to you and your family. Words are difficult, but our simple message is that we are thinking of you and sending our friendship and love.

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight – Khalil Gibran

All the extended Poe family in Australia send their deepest sympathy on the sudden and heartbreaking loss of Nic. Our thoughts are with you.

Mike and Jenny Poe

Our thoughts are with you at this sad time from all the family in Australia.

Dear Topps family, I was shocked and saddened to hear of Nic’s passing. I have kept up with his interesting life via Facebook. He seemed to be one of those ‘larger than life’ people who follow their dreams and don’t take no for an answer. I knew him best when he was a baby and small child. Obviously. When we moved to Airdrie I was initially quite blue. He made me feel better every day when I would rock him to sleep and he would stare at me with his beautiful blue, blue eyes..so brilliant next to his shock of golden white hair. He was so sweet. Then he turned 2! Haha! Mischievous toddler and a handful, but still delightful! I am sorry for your 2nd great loss in this unfair life…going through it twice is incomprehensible. Sarah, I hope you won’t lose your indomitable zest and that you will be a comfort to your mum and dad. David and Maureen, I hope you can remember all the good stuff and keep him in your hearts and still get through the hard days. I wish I could be there Wednesday as I would love to see you. We will be in Vancouver for Keaton’s wedding but we will be thinking of you all. The kids were all sad to hear too, especially Dustin who confided that it was hitting him pretty hard. After all they were together a lot in those first years. Love you all, and miss you. We think of you all often. Monte, Tanya, Ashley, Dustin, Jillian and Keaton

I would like to send my condolences to Nic’s familly. I was in cadets with Nic a few years back and he was an amazing snare drummer! He had alot of things going for him! And he has touched many lives and was an amazing young man! He will be greatly missed.

Jessica Vaillant

With our deepest sympathy, that our thoughts and prayers are with the Topps family. No words can express our feelings with the loss of your most vibrant son.

Kelley & David

Dear Maureen, David, Sarah and Teya, Topps, Smiths, other family and friends – I cannot find the words to express my sorrow for your loss, our loss … these ones will have to do. My earliest memory of Nic was his incredible ability of tagging his Halo opponents with plasma grenades followed by a big wide grin. I later got to know him as a great traveling companion and prankster, a Fringe star, and as someone whose kindness and generosity touched those around him in so many ways. I’m sorry that I won’t be with you all on Wednesday – I will be with family in the UK; Nic’s passing is a stark reminder of how precious and fleeting these moments are. My thoughts, wishes, love and all good things to you – and thank you Nic for everything, let the command stand: “second star to the right and straight on ’til morning” – Rachel

Dear Maureen, David and family,

Please accept my most sincere sympathy at this time of such a great loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Leslie

Dear Maureen, David and Sarah,

We cannot imagine the grief you must feel. Nic was far too young to have died. We all remember the great day we spent as two families skiing Panorama a few years ago. The kids stayed Facebook friends and this is how we heard about this tragedy.

In his short life it is obvious he touched many people and had many more experiences than most people have in their lifetime.

Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.

Mark and Helene

Maureen and David,

My wife Sylvia and I were both so sad to hear of your son’s unexpected passing. Please know that you both are in our thoughts and prayers and will be in the days to come. I hope you can find some comfort in knowing that others are thinking of you at this time.

Sincerely,

Andrew Warren, Halifax

Dear David and Maureen,

We both send you our deepest condolences on the sudden loss of your fine son and brother to Sarah. Nic’s life was way too short but will be cherished in your memories forever, and reminds us all that life is a treasure that can too soon pass.

With hugs and love,

Jim and Leslie Rourke

David and Maureen; It was a great shock to learn of Nic’s untimely passing. Our heartfelt sympathies to you and your family. Serge, Marzia, Sarah and Natalie Treherne

Dear Maureen, David and Sarah:

As mentioned in the obituary above, the news of Nic is horrendously shocking. It is with the heaviest of hearts that the Bruce family extends its greatest sympathies. When we heard of the news Pat and I had the opportunity to reflect on the many years that Tristan and Nic were friends and the many memories that flooded our conversation. Though we didn’t have the opportunity to know Nic as the man he turned into we are glad that he graced our family during his youth.

Sincerely,

Pat and Linda Bruce

and

Tristan, Aidan and Kieran

There are simply no words that we have to express our sadness at the loss of Nic. Know that we are thinking of you.

Love

Joyce & Wayne

So sorry to hear about Nic’s passing. We never met Nic in person but were delighted in getting to know him through the eyes of Teya Smith and her family, especially Sylvia.

Sending you all huge amounts of strength and comfort to get through the next days and all the days to come.

So sorry for your loss!

The Wasylyniuk family

Hello, you don’t know us, but I (Karen) am Derrick Smith’s cousin. I am so sorry to hear about your son and brother. I believe I met Nic once when over at Teya’s house, and I know that they adored him. I cannot even begin to fathom your sense of loss and grief. Please accept our most heartfelt condolences and may his memory soothe your hearts in years to come.

With much sympathy,

Karen and Winston Conyers.

Dear Maureen and David, Please accept my deepest sympathies on the sudden loss of your son. I cannot imagine the heartbreak. You have both been inspirations to me, and I will keep you in my thoughts now more than ever. I wish there was something I could do to help ease your sorrow.

To Maureen, David and the rest of Nic’s family – please accept my profound sympathy for such a tragic loss. I cannot imagine what you are feeling. All of us at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine and particularly the Postgrad Unit are holding you in our thoughts and prayers. Your emails and the message above give a sense of your strength, how deeply Nic is loved and what an amazing life he had. We hope to be able to join the webcast celebration next week.

With affection

Cathy

Murray and I, as well as Peter and Ian, were very saddened to hear of Nichol’s sudden passing. Murray was his soccer coach when Nichol was just a little guy in Airdrie, and has fond memories of Nichol especially after soccer season — whenever Nichol saw Coach Murray, he would lavish him with hugs! I encountered Nichol as a substitute teacher; need I say more? Our hearts go out to you all.

I am truly sorry for your loss. No parent should have to experience the loss of a child. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and may the memories together bring you some comfort.

Mel