Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

About

Bradley University Tulane University University of Iowa

Nicholas Humy Obituary

PEORIA - Nicholas Peter Humy, 53, formerly of Peoria, died Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2011, at his home in Santa Cruz, Calif., after a long battle with cancer.

He is survived by his wife of 21 years, Dr. Donna Lee Humy; and his sons, Samuel and Benjamin Humy.

Also surviving are his parents, B.G. "Nick" and Ardyce-Jean Humy of Peoria; his sisters, Christine Koundakjian (Ted) of Albany, Calif., Costance Iverson (John) of Dunlap and Catherine Humy of Peoria.

Nick attended the International School of Geneva, Switzerland, graduated from Bradley University and received his master's and Ph.D. from the University of Iowa.

He taught at Tulane University, the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, MIT and Northeastern in Boston before returning to school for a law degree at Hastings Law School in San Francisco.

He joined the Federal Public Defender's Office in San Francisco and later transferred to the office in San Jose, where he became the supervising attorney.

Nick was passionate about his wife, his sons and his work and never gave up fighting to stay alive to live his dream.

Services will be held Sept. 10 at his home in Santa Cruz, Calif. A local family memorial service will be announced at a later date.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Peoria Journal Star on Aug. 24, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Nicholas Humy

12 Entries

Mark Klemens

August 18, 2025

I went to school with Nicholas at the International School of Geneva in Switzerland. I was there for nine years and people came and went every year so I am not sure when he left but I remember having classes with him in my early years there. He had a great sense of humor and his antics had the whole class laughing on occasion.

Rosemary Borris Hughes

August 18, 2020

I remember Nick from my many years at The International School in Geneva. His father actually hired my father to work for Caterpillar overseas. My condolences to Nick's entire family. My mother, Rosemary Borris sends her sympathy to Nick Sr and Ardyce-Jean as well.

Molly ( Hirons ) Lewis

August 18, 2020

I graduated from Ecolint several years before Nick, and I did not know him, but I know his sister, Connie. My prayers for peace and comfort go out to Connie, and all of his family. May Nick Rest In Peace.

Jack Waldbewohner

December 29, 2019

On September 11, 1998 I was a homeless man in San Jose, California. I was arrested by US Marshals for failure to report to my probation officer. It looked like I would be shipped back to Houston and given 18 months in prison. Nicholas became my lawyer. He pulled off the impossible. He got my case heard in San Jose. I got just 6 months in jail. He put his heart and his soul into helping me. He would come to visit me in jail. He was so well respected by judges and probation officers. He was a great lawyer. He left us much too soon.

How you can show support

Notify Me

Get email updates whenever changes are made.

Send flowers

Consider sending flowers.

Add photos

Share their life with photo memories.

Plant trees

Honor them by planting trees in their memory.

Donate in Memory

Make a donation in memory of your loved one.

Share this page

Invite other friends and family to visit the page.

Marty Cullen

September 7, 2011

Wow, I knew Nick from our college days at Bradley. Nice guy and wow he really accomplished a lot. This is truly sad.

Kathleen Grossman

September 3, 2011

Nick will be greatly missed by all his family. He leaves two beautiful sons he would be proud of, I know he was a good husband/partner to my cousin Donna. They made a lovely family. My heart goes out to you all.

Kathy Welch

September 3, 2011

Nick was an amazing man, and I am grateful and privileged to have known him and to have shared in his battle against cancer. Wishing comfort to his family in their profound loss. He was an inspiration and made the world a better place.

Linda Bottarini

September 1, 2011

The world is a sadder place without Nick. He was a rare and special man who made a difference in the world every day of his life. People who knew him were better for it. Nick had a gift for making people feel special when they were with him. And in the process you realized what a special person he was. I will miss the twinkle in his eye when he would speak of his family and the love he exuded for them. My heart goes out to Donna and the boys during this very difficult time.

Stan Baldwin

August 28, 2011

Damn, I'll miss him! Nick was one those special (incredible) people who could achieve in anything they attempted. A beautiful wife, two handsome sons, and a zest for getting out and doing stuff - what a friend to have.

Nick owned and rode some rather exotic motorcycles with us a few years back. Rolling down Skyline (a highway running along the top of the California Coastal mountain range) on one of his Ducatis, he could be seen grinning ear-to-ear even behind his full-face helmet.

A great listener and even better advice giver, Nick was a person who made life better for everyone around him.

My best to Donna and his sons. There is no doubt in my mind that the strength of character Nick exuded lives on in all of them, and will sustain them in the years ahead.

I wish I could thank Nick, one more time, for all the good times.

Mark Klemens

August 27, 2011

I was at Ecoint with Nick. I am sad to hear of his passing. My sincere condolences to his whole family

Norma Bader

August 24, 2011

Nick was a high school friend of my son, Scott Bader. I truly enjoyed his wit and beautiful manners - so unusual in a teenager. He accomplished so much in his too short life. My condolences to all of his family.

Showing 1 - 12 of 12 results