Nicholas Anthony Debs

DEBSNicholas Anthony Debs, 82, passed away Wednesday, March 16, 2011. Born in Jacksonville on October 25, 1928, Nick was the fourth child of Nicolas and Rosa Debs, immigrants from Lebanon. Nick attended Immaculate Conception School where he excelled in both the classroom and on the athletic fields in the sports of swimming, basketball and football. He attended the University of Florida and was a member of the Gator basketball team his freshman year in 1948. Late in 1948, he left the University when his father became ill and took over Debs Store, a family grocery store begun by his father in 1921. He was a volunteer lifeguard in the Life Saving Corps at Jacksonville Beach, a member of the Knights of Columbus and served in the Florida National Guard. Nick ran Debs Store working six days a week for 62 years until illness forced his retirement at the beginning of 2011. For over 50 years, his brother, Eugene, served as both his business partner and best friend. Their devotion to Jacksonville’s Eastside community was featured on the front page of the Florida Times-Union on Labor Day, 2006, one month before Eugene passed away. Nick was a founding member of Christ the King Catholic Church. He served in virtually every lay position for the Church for over 50 years and was a Sacristan and Eucharistic Minister at the time of his death. The real love of Nick’s life was his family, beginning with his wife of over 56 years, Julia. He married Julia Murphy on June 12, 1954 and always spoke of his love for her and of her beauty. Nick and Julia were blessed with eight children: Joe (Paulette) Debs, Ann Marie (Neil) Wein, Denise (Ed) Cox, Nancy (Rick) Buchanan, Diane (Todd) Ierna, David Debs, Patricia (Seth) Abbott and Tom Debs. He also had eight grandchildren: Jenna, Tiffany, Kelsey, Clayton, Marissa, Nicholas, Samantha and Brooke. He also leaves behind 3 sisters, Sylvia Debs Fowler (Johnny), Mae Debs and Nellie Debs and is predeceased by his brother, Eugene Vincent Debs. He loved his nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews as his own children and grandchildren. In fact, his “family” extended to literally hundreds of his friends and his children’s friends. Sunday dinners with Nick were legendary! Visitation for the public will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 PM Saturday at Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home, 940 Cesery Blvd. 744-8422. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:00 AM Monday, March 21 ,at Christ the King Catholic Church, with Father Thanh Nguyen as celebrant. A Vigil Service will be held at 7:00 PM Sunday, also at Christ the King Catholic Church with Monsignor Mortimer Danaher leading the Rosary. Interment will follow the Funeral Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.Memorials may be made to Christ the King Catholic School/Scholarships or Community Hospice of NE Florida.