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Alexander Nicholas Klemuk Dies at 74

Alexander Nicholas Klemuk

Alexander Nicholas Klemuk, 74, known to all as “Nick,” passed away Jan. 31, at his home in Bonne Resolution on St. Thomas, USVI.  His wife of 52 years, Phyllis (Woolcot), was at his side.

Born March 18, 1945, in West Palm Beach, Fla., to Nick and Betty Klemuk, Nick was raised in Southampton, New York.  He graduated from Southampton High School in 1963, where he forged friendships that lasted a lifetime. Two of his fondest memories from those years were being a part of the undefeated 1962 championship Mariners football team and having his “S” and anchor design (still in use today) selected as the logo for the new school.

A veteran of the US Army, Nick was stationed in Alaska following the devastating earthquake of 1964.  Realizing that “snow was not for him,” Nick moved to St. Thomas where he met Phyllis.  The couple married at Fort Christian on Feb. 14, 1968.  Once married, they lived in a variety of places – St. Thomas, New York, California, Georgia – but decided ultimately in 1983 to return to “Paradise” where they had fallen in love.

Nick’s training as an architectural draftsman proved a valuable skill within the growing construction trade on St. Thomas. During his working career, he held positions with the VI Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Crouse Hampton, H. Stern, Roy’s Construction and Custom Builders.

Since being diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in April 2016, Nick lived much of the time with his sister and brother-in-law at his childhood Southampton home to be near his team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. After a long and valiant battle when his treatment options had ended, Phyllis made Nick’s dream of returning to his island home a reality.

Nick loved being on (and under) the waters of the Caribbean, was an avid photographer, enjoyed music of almost every genre and had a lifelong passion for classic cars and hot rod trucks.  His greatest joy and his greatest gift was his ability to laugh and talk with everyone he met. He will be missed by family and friends.

Nick is survived by his wife, Phyllis; brother, Gary and his wife, Mirta San Martin; sister, Sandra and her husband, Richard Braun; sister-in-law, Barbara and her husband, Elton Ricketts; brother-in-law, Steven Woolcot; and his loving nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces, each of whom held a very special place in his heart.

No services were held.  Donations in his honor may be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

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