Nicholas R. Steere

PASCOAG - Nicholas R. Steere, 37, passed away Monday, January 10, 2022. Born in Woonsocket, he was a son of Tracy DeWitte Lee and Samuel A. Steere.

He leaves behind his son, Nicholas R. Paquin, and Nicholas' mother Victoria Paquin and a daughter; his sisters Holly Lee, Autumn Lange, Casey Carberry Pagnozzi and Chelsea Steere; his niece Isla and nephew Koda.

Nick never stayed in one place for too long and he made friends everywhere he went. During high school he would spend time in Burrillville and Smithfield, RI where he would meet lifelong friends that would become family and a "home base" for him. As a young man, down on his luck, he would seek refuge at the Providence Rescue Mission, only to return the favor years later and work for both the Providence Rescue Mission and Jacob House. He related to those who struggled in life, without judgment and he would share experiences and spread the good word of his savior. To strangers and friends, we will always remember the late night talks of wisdom and the bottomless respect, support and love he would praise us with.

For over a decade Nick would work as a chef at many seasonal resorts and fine dining restaurants spanning from New England to the Midwest. Business owners from all over would house Nick to receive the opportunity to have him in their kitchen with his last stop in Orlando grilling up some BBQ. Nick loved food but it wasn't his only passion.

A great Saturday for Nick might include a pack of Marlboro reds, a fishing rod, quiet pond and country music playing on a small radio. To finish the evening, Nick loved his Southern Comfort and many knew him because of his larger than life social presence...... he never missed an opportunity to truffle shuffle to the Laffy Taffy, he never stopped dancing. Nick never skipped a beat in making an entire gathering burst out laughing and he never reserved his booming voice on a greeting when he entered an occasion or saw a loved one. His great Sunday would be spent yelling at a TV, jumping up and down, cheering on the Patriots ... a trait handed down to him by his father and if you listened as you pulled up to his father's quaint lakeside home, you could hear the two of them shouting together after an interception or touchdown.

Nick loved kids, he had nothing but hugs, and smiles for them. He never missed out on supporting and loving them instantly, transforming himself into the biggest kid in the room at times but most of all, he loved his Mama .... Drake had nothing on Nick and he let everyone know it.

Through the years Nick stayed in contact with so many people via his Facebook messenger and his "home base" remained a phone call away. Typically, this was after hours when he was missing home and wanted to chat. Lifelong friends waited and waited for these calls through the years, sometimes settling their nerves during the hardest times of their lives and vice versa. For a man that didn't always live in Rhode Island, Rhode Island is feeling the impact of this loss, as the family experienced a large outpour of support when anyone and everyone that met Nick once learned of his passing. He simply had this charismatic, meaningful and impactful way about him that continues to linger on all who interacted with him.

A wise man, too smart for his own good, an immense man, too big for his shirt, and an enjoyable man, just too loved to be gone so soon. "He will be missed" is an understatement that will never truly capture the depths of the cracks that have separated so many hearts. May the eternal grass be greener than he has ever seen and for us to rejoin him in the next life, the good life, the way he always described it.

We lay Nick to peace in his final resting place:

Visitation will be held Saturday, January 29, 2022 at 10am-12pm in the Tucker-Quinn Funeral Chapel, 643 Putnam Avenue, Greenville. Face masks and social distancing will be observed. For Online Condolences visit, TuckerQuinnFuneralChapel.com

In lieu of flowers, family members ask for donations to help cover his resting costs via a donation card at the service or via this gofundme: https://gofund.me/eca6dcd3