Nicholas L. Frazee

1935 - 2017

Nicholas L. Frazee December 28, 1935 - April 2, 2017 San Diego - Nicholas L. Frazee Nick, Dad, Papa, Pop, Uncle Nick Nick Frazee passed away peacefully at the age of 81 in his San Diego home on April 2nd, 2017, surrounded by the immense love from his entire family. He fought as long as he could fight preparing to once again hold his wife of 55 years, Leslie in their magical new home in heaven. Born December 28, 1935 in San Diego to Samuel Robert and Jean Utt Frazee, Nick grew up in Bonita and Point Loma before moving to Mission Hills from 1945-1957 with his older sister, Lee Ann and younger brother Bob. Nick was exposed to the water at an early age and introduced to the Starlet Junior fleet with his close friend, Jerry LaDow. The two spent countless hours building their passion for sailing and creating a lifelong bond on and off the water. Large pockets of those summers were spent on the family boat, Andante moored at Cherry Cove in Catalina. One of the many places Nick frequented in his life, Catalina later became a memorable summer vacation getaway for his own family. A three-sport athlete at San Diego High School, Nick graduated in 1954 before heading off to Stanford University. After concluding his freshman year, he joined the Army, serving in the Medical Corps for two years in Darmstadt, Germany. He then re-connected with Jerry LaDow during a short visit to Claremont Men's College and fell in love with the campus before enrolling prior to the 1958 academic year. Playing both split end and defensive back for legendary coach Jess Cone's fighting Stags, Nick was an inspirational leader for many of his younger classmates, representing them his senior year as Team Captain. While studies and athletics were always important in Nick's life, a chance meeting in 1959 with nearby Scripps College freshman Leslie Wickland changed his life forever. Nick was taken by her striking beauty, curious intellect and giving nature. The two became inseparable friends in a short time as their relationship grew into what simply was a lifetime love story. After Nick graduated from CMC in 1961, the two were married on August 19th that same year. Joining his father back in San Diego at Frazee Paint, Nick began a steady climb through management establishing himself as a leader in the company and the paint and wallcovering industry. A major turning point came in 1963 when Nick and Bob, now firmly a part of the company with his older brother, convinced their father Sam to begin manufacturing their own paint. This began a major growth pattern which included the construction of a new warehouse on Miramar Road, retail store expansion throughout the West and the hiring of key employees that saw the vision and implemented the plan. Frazee led the company for over 25 years before agreeing with his closest friend and business partner, Bob, to sell their interest to Reed International in July of 1984. Both continued on in management roles through 1988 before transitioning into other banking and real estate ventures. It was, as Nick would always say, "…All about the wonderful people and relationships built over the years." Outside of what were always his first priorities, wife Leslie and their four children Jennifer, Linda, Kimberly, and Daniel, Nick's passion for sailing centered on exposure to the sport through his father, S. Robert Frazee at the San Diego Yacht Club. Following in his father's footsteps as a 2nd generation Commodore, his love of competition grew into long distance racing. He built the first Swiftsure in 1973, a C&C 48' sloop which sailed in the 1975 Transpac Race from Los Angeles to Honolulu. That boat and crew remain synonymous with breaking off course mid-race and rescuing 6 crew members from Atorrante, a sinking Cal 32 not entered in the race. Nick went on to build a larger Frers 58' Swiftsure II which sailed throughout Florida, San Francisco Bay and competed in yet another Transpac Race in 1979. He would go on to take first to finish in the Transpac with the chartered Ultra-Light sled Merlin in 1981 and again in 1985 with his final Swiftsure III, a Nelson-Marek 68" sled. Other long distance race victories included Newport to Cabo, San Diego to Mazatlán, San Diego to Manzanillo and many more. All the while, one of Nick's greatest joys was competing with his closest friends and the continued camaraderie they all shared on the water. Those memories lived on through his countless stories told and re-told to each generation's close ear. They remain sealed forever in those hearts and minds, honoring those that had the pleasure to experience the water with him. Nick's post-business, post-sailing life allowed for more time in Hana, Maui, a place he and Leslie honeymooned and later frequented with their children on summer vacations. Like so many places they visited, they became a part of that town's fabric as they built lifelong friendships that stood through time. From bodysurfing at Hamoa Beach, to swimming in the Seven Sacred pools, to smelling the flowers and hearing the birds, the two were able to spend extra time together savoring this most unique place. And similarly, along came new adventures with wife Leslie in the Northwest…first to McCall, Idaho and then on to Big Fork, Montana where they would split their time with San Diego from 1989 through 2003. The two were known for packing their green and tan Suburban with their two dogs, warm clothes, and an eye for new places…and just drive North with no specific plans other than to arrive when they felt like it. This continued a beautiful relationship with nature and so many new people engaged in the re-construction of cabins in each town. Nick's creative mind and building experience helped both of them re-construct these places into true sanctuaries for all who were fortunate to experience each property. And it was Leslie's decorating eye which stamped every interior with just the right "cozy home" feel. Through the majority of his adult life, Nick's truest love was his wife Leslie. In 2003, shortly after selling their home in Montana, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Where many would shy away from the daunting task that involves caregiving, Nick dedicated the remaining years of his life to Leslie's care. That included initial care overseeing her early onset years, then daily visits to Silverado Senior Living in Encinitas and 24-hour care when he brought her back home with the help of a personal care giving team. It was in that time and those years that most defined Nick Frazee's character to his closest friends, children and grandchildren. He gave all of his heart. He made the situation the absolute best it could be. He loved with everything he had so that Leslie could still feel and hear what her mind could not completely grasp. That love extended both of their lives, together in so many ways. Nick leaves a legacy of giving back and caring deeply about and for others. His love was not just for Leslie and his family. It extended to those who worked for him, often their children as well, and those who befriended him in all of the wonderful places he stepped. And those places were many as he touched so much of this world in a most amazing way. We will always love our Dad, our Papa. He was a friend and a mentor to so many. He was simply one of a kind, NEVER to be forgotten! Love Always, Jennifer, Linda, Kim, and Daniel And all of our extended Frazee, Case, Gobel and Rodi families