Nick Vukmer Obituary
Obituary published on Legacy.com by Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. - Leonardtown on Sep. 17, 2025.
Nick Vukmer, 91, of Leonardtown, Maryland, passed away peacefully at home on September 14, 2025, with his loving family by his side.
Born on December 13, 1933, in Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, to the late George Vukmirovich and Anna (nee: Cvjanovich) Vukmer.
Nick is a 1951 graduate of Townville High School in Townville, Pennsylvania. On December 2, 1953 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp and proudly served his country until his Honorable Discharge on September 10, 1956 at the rank of Sergeant. During his service, he earned the National Service Defense Medal. Nick earned his Bachelor's degree from Allegheny College in 1961, his Master of Education from State University of New York at Buffalo in 1965 and his Masters of Arts in Education from The George Washington University in 1973.
On September 26, 1960, he married the love of his life, Judith Marie (nee: Cole) Vukmer in New York. Together, they celebrated 65 wonderful years of marriage. In 1967, Nick moved his family to St. Mary's County to work at St. Mary's College of Maryland as the Director of Student Activities. In 1970, Nick began his career with the St. Mary's County Board of Education, helping many students over the years, before retiring in 1993 as a Vocational Placement Specialist.
Before retiring from the Board, Nick pursued a new adventure-learning to drive a motorcoach bus. He earned his CDL license and began driving for bus companies in surrounding areas, including Washington D.C. Soon, he and Judy made the bold decision to purchase their own motorcoach, founding Chesapeake Trails Bus Company. They soon added a second bus and embarked on journeys up and down the East Coast, bringing joy to countless groups of travelers. Nick often said that he was happy to have found his true calling when he started his bus company.
Nick enjoyed several hobbies, some of which he enjoyed with his children and grandchildren, which included hunting and target shooting. He loved road trips with Judy, cruising Alaska and the Caribbean and Outer Banks beach vacations with the kids and grandkids. He also spent a lot of time restoring his 1940 Ford Coupe, which he owned before he met Judy. A true inventor at heart, Nick loved spending hours tinkering in his garage, coming up with creative solutions to make life easier and finding ways to fix things that seemed beyond repair. In his later years, Nick developed a deeper passion for cooking and baking, with his apple pie being a particular favorite. He recently became especially interested in preparing dishes from Serbia, honoring the heritage of his parents.
Nick was active for quite some time in the Masonic Lodge and served as Past Master of Thomas J. Shryock Lodge #223 in Hollywood, Maryland in 1988.
Nick had a remarkable ability to connect with everyone he met, always running into friends wherever he went. He was an avid storyteller, with a sharp memory for the many moments of life. Not long ago, he even serenaded others with a song from a radio show he enjoyed back when he was in second grade.
In addition to his beloved wife, Judy, Nick is also survived by his children: Joanna Schwab (Bill) of Leonardtown, Maryland, and Barrett C. Vukmer (Denise) of Leonardtown, Maryland; siblings, Robert Vukmer (Jennifer) of Richmond, Virgin and George Vukmer (Leona) of Meadville, Pennsylvania; six grandchildren: Erica Morris (Howard Emerson), Michael Norris (Devin), John Norris (Hayley), Billy Norris, Jacqueline Benefield (Cale), Nicholas Vukmer (Carissa), nine great-grandchildren: Christopher Norris, Emmie Norris, Gage Norris, Santanah Norris, Eleanor Benefield, Knox Benefield, Leo Benefield, Alex Cotterman, Opal Benefield; he was preceded in death by his parents, his son David Nicholas Vukmer, his granddaughter Emily Morris, his great-grandson Alex Cotterman, and siblings, Violet Ward, Peter Vukmir and Stephen Vukmer.
Family will receive friends on Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Real Life Church, 27399 Old Village Road, Mechanicsville, Maryland, with a Funeral Service celebrated by Pastor Todd Crofford at 1:00 p.m. A private interment will be held at a later date at Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Cheltenham, Maryland.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Nick's name can be made to Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, Maryland 20650.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.
Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, Maryland.
Born on December 13, 1933, in Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, to the late George Vukmirovich and Anna (nee: Cvjanovich) Vukmer.
Nick is a 1951 graduate of Townville High School in Townville, Pennsylvania. On December 2, 1953 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp and proudly served his country until his Honorable Discharge on September 10, 1956 at the rank of Sergeant. During his service, he earned the National Service Defense Medal. Nick earned his Bachelor's degree from Allegheny College in 1961, his Master of Education from State University of New York at Buffalo in 1965 and his Masters of Arts in Education from The George Washington University in 1973.
On September 26, 1960, he married the love of his life, Judith Marie (nee: Cole) Vukmer in New York. Together, they celebrated 65 wonderful years of marriage. In 1967, Nick moved his family to St. Mary's County to work at St. Mary's College of Maryland as the Director of Student Activities. In 1970, Nick began his career with the St. Mary's County Board of Education, helping many students over the years, before retiring in 1993 as a Vocational Placement Specialist.
Before retiring from the Board, Nick pursued a new adventure-learning to drive a motorcoach bus. He earned his CDL license and began driving for bus companies in surrounding areas, including Washington D.C. Soon, he and Judy made the bold decision to purchase their own motorcoach, founding Chesapeake Trails Bus Company. They soon added a second bus and embarked on journeys up and down the East Coast, bringing joy to countless groups of travelers. Nick often said that he was happy to have found his true calling when he started his bus company.
Nick enjoyed several hobbies, some of which he enjoyed with his children and grandchildren, which included hunting and target shooting. He loved road trips with Judy, cruising Alaska and the Caribbean and Outer Banks beach vacations with the kids and grandkids. He also spent a lot of time restoring his 1940 Ford Coupe, which he owned before he met Judy. A true inventor at heart, Nick loved spending hours tinkering in his garage, coming up with creative solutions to make life easier and finding ways to fix things that seemed beyond repair. In his later years, Nick developed a deeper passion for cooking and baking, with his apple pie being a particular favorite. He recently became especially interested in preparing dishes from Serbia, honoring the heritage of his parents.
Nick was active for quite some time in the Masonic Lodge and served as Past Master of Thomas J. Shryock Lodge #223 in Hollywood, Maryland in 1988.
Nick had a remarkable ability to connect with everyone he met, always running into friends wherever he went. He was an avid storyteller, with a sharp memory for the many moments of life. Not long ago, he even serenaded others with a song from a radio show he enjoyed back when he was in second grade.
In addition to his beloved wife, Judy, Nick is also survived by his children: Joanna Schwab (Bill) of Leonardtown, Maryland, and Barrett C. Vukmer (Denise) of Leonardtown, Maryland; siblings, Robert Vukmer (Jennifer) of Richmond, Virgin and George Vukmer (Leona) of Meadville, Pennsylvania; six grandchildren: Erica Morris (Howard Emerson), Michael Norris (Devin), John Norris (Hayley), Billy Norris, Jacqueline Benefield (Cale), Nicholas Vukmer (Carissa), nine great-grandchildren: Christopher Norris, Emmie Norris, Gage Norris, Santanah Norris, Eleanor Benefield, Knox Benefield, Leo Benefield, Alex Cotterman, Opal Benefield; he was preceded in death by his parents, his son David Nicholas Vukmer, his granddaughter Emily Morris, his great-grandson Alex Cotterman, and siblings, Violet Ward, Peter Vukmir and Stephen Vukmer.
Family will receive friends on Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Real Life Church, 27399 Old Village Road, Mechanicsville, Maryland, with a Funeral Service celebrated by Pastor Todd Crofford at 1:00 p.m. A private interment will be held at a later date at Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Cheltenham, Maryland.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Nick's name can be made to Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, Maryland 20650.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.brinsfieldfuneral.com.
Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, Maryland.
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