Nicholas Gust "Nick" Michael

News Death Notice

MICHAEL, Nicholas "Nick" Gust 1924-2009. Born February 8, 1924 in Dayton, Ohio to Greek immigrants, Gust and Evdoxia, Nicholas "Nick" Gust Michael had a remarkable life which transcended age and station. Nick, who passed away on Saturday, February 21, 2009, lived until he died. He was a friend's friend, a ladies' man, a man's man and a man for all occasions. Most importantly, he was an affectionate husband and father. Nick propelled himself full throttle through 85 years of life, resplendent in a Neiman-Marcus sports coat, a colorful tie and gleaming cuff links. He could tell jokes, and listen attentively to another's, and then shake out a long, hearty laugh. You met Nick and you remembered him. At the age of 8 and with his younger brother, Pete, and older sister, Marie, at his side, Nick and his family endured the financial difficulties of the Depression. Part-time work mowing grass, delivering newspapers and caddying at Community Golf Course for less than a dollar per day instilled the business confidence that would be significant later in his career. Upon attending Fairmont High School and the University of Dayton, Nick started his business career with GM Frigidaire. As World War II progressed, Nick was drafted in the U.S. Army and assigned to the mule pack artillery unit in Colorado Springs. Although a lover of animals, Nick grew impatient with the mules and applied for assignment with the Air Corps after receiving flight training at Washington State College. After brief stints with the Air Corps in Santa Ana, California and Amarillo, Texas and with the War beginning to wind-down, he was reassigned to his artillery unit and sent to Europe where he arrived on his 21st birthday. Although seeing limited combat action given the success of the Allied efforts, he participated in the liberation of concentration camps over several months, witnessing first-hand, the devastation and suffering of thousands of people impacted by Nazi rule. After returning from Europe, Nick co-founded Lewis and Michael Moving and Storage, which still continues to do business throughout the region today. Having a passion for cars, Nick sold his interest in the moving company and opened Michael Motors, the Dayton Lincoln-Mercury dealership. Subsequently, he founded Dayton Auto Lease and Thrifty Rental Car which later grew to become a national name-brand rental company. He sold his automobile businesses in the 1960's and was offered an opportunity to work as stockbroker with Greene and Ladd. Through trusting business relationships, Nick grew a customer base measuring hundreds of local families who would continue to rely on his financial guidance and remain customers and friends for nearly 35 years until his retirement. The brokerage office staff also remember "gentleman" Nick as he personally delivered flowers to each of the ladies consistently every Friday and never failed to recognize every personal milestone, birthday or otherwise. While at Greene and Ladd, he met and married his amazing wife, Enid, and his family size, as well as his influence, grew immensely. Going from a household of two, he and his late son, Nicky, embraced the addition of K.C., Stacy, Kirby, Lucinda, Jeff, Jim, Steve, and Cindy into their lives. As the family continued to expand through the additions of son-in-laws and daughter-in-laws, Nick celebrated and cherished the arrival of each of his grandchildren (Mac, Cate, Kirby, Gust, Mason, K.C., Jason, Olivia, Nicholas, Sarah, Zach, Amelia, Moses, Kelly, Robert, Mack, Jake, Daniel, Dustin, Tricia and Erica Nicole). In truth, the Nick Michael that most people saw and loved was the guy who loved people. Nick knew no strangers and viewed every encounter as an opportunity for friendship. At the Sycamore Country Club, every golf round was an occasion for merriment as he cheered others fortunes and chuckled when his ball could not be found. He loved his backyard garden and was known to greet his neighbors outside with a martini and yard rake in hand. Nick knew God and was comforted by this relationship in the days leading up to his death. Growing up in the Greek Orthodox Church and later becoming a member of Fairmont Presbyterian Church, Nick treasured the gifts of life and served as a symbol for unconditional love and forgiveness. A Celebration Memorial Service will be held on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. at Fairmont Presbyterian Church in Kettering, Ohio. Pursuant to Nick's wishes, a cocktail party will immediately follow at the home of Frank and Stacy Rose. In lieu of flowers, Nick requested as a memorial to him that you make a contribution to your favorite charity, pay a compliment to a stranger, send a personal note to a friend or simply spend extra time with your family.