The Reverend Nicholas Brie of Windsor, CA passed away in Healdsburg, CA on August 5, 2016 at the age of 75. He was born in New Haven, CT to Harriett and Edward Schmidt.
After high school, Nicholas served his country in US Army Intelligence from 1959 until 1962. He then attended Waterloo Lutheran University in Ontario, Canada, Wagner College in NY, and Sonoma State University, where he received his teaching degree. After graduation he taught English and Drama at Rancho Cotati High School in Rohnert Park, CA. Nicholas later left teaching and moved to Dayton, Ohio where he was the Activity Director and Community Liaison at a nursing facility. From Dayton, he moved to Chicago, IL, and working in the same capacity, and continued to be a strong advocate for the elderly. While in Chicago, he enrolled in the Lutheran Seminary and continued as Chaplain at the nursing facility. He served his internship during the last year of seminary in Michigan and was then ordained.
His first call was to Trinity Lutheran Church in Paxton, NE. After serving there, he became the Chaplain for two state-run facilities for the elderly in Wyoming. He later received a call to serve on an Ecumenical ministry team at the Inter Faith Chapel in Leisure World in Silver Spring, MD, and later as an Interim Minister in Baltimore, MD. His last call before retiring was to Trinity Lutheran Church in Taneytown, MD. From there he retired and in 2014 moved to California to be near his cousin Rhoda Wiese of Windsor. Nicholas joyously joined Thanksgiving Lutheran Church, where he contributed his time and assisted in pastoral care.
Nicholas was a man who made an impact upon so many people who have since come forward to express their gratitude. He was truly a person who tried to follow the teachings of Jesus, and was a positive force for change within many communities and individual lives. Nicholas is also remembered for his fun loving and joyous nature, his wonderful sense of humor, laughter, his passion for writing, and his commitment to helping others. He leaves behind four nieces, Laurie, Heidi, Gretta and Ann Louise and their families.
A memorial service to celebrate Nicholas’ life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 17, 2016 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 38 W. Baltimore St., Taneytown, MD, 21787, with Pastor Cristopher Frigm officiating. Contributions are being collected by Trinity Church in Nicholas’ memory to be shared with Caring and Sharing Ministries of Northwest Carroll County, Mission of Mercy, and the Community of St. Dysmas, all organizations loved by Nicholas.