Nico Raphael Palania

Nico was a student at the University of Louisville where he was studying music, and was a member of the Collegiate Chorale, and the Cardinal Rule. Nico was involved in many different bands and vocal groups including the Thoroughbred Chorus, Cool Hand Ukes, War Sugar, and many others.

Nico started his education at St. Albert the Great School and then went on to YPAS at duPont Manual High School, where he co-founded the Ukulele Club. Nico’s jobs included being a team member at the Potbelly Sandwich Shop, where he created a milkshake called, “The Nico Shake”, which was on the menu for a while. He was also a Bellman/Valet at the Brown Hotel, and most recently at The Hyatt.

Those left to cherish Nico’s memory include, mother, Mylene Palania; father, Noel Palania; sister, Jianna Palania; grandmothers, Matilde Polido, and Nenita Palania; aunts and uncles, Cezar Polido (Kelly), Myra Aldi (Tony), Cedric Polido (Lota), Luvie Torreno (Arthur), Ariel Palania (Deng), Jeff Palania; cousins, Kenneth, Jonathan, Katelyn, Christopher, Andrew, Ella, Liam, BJ, BA, Dimple, Apple, AJ, and RJ; and his girlfriend, Jessica Heinz.

Preceding Nico in passing were his grandfathers, Cecilio Polido and Reynaldo Palania.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, June 13, at 11 AM at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church. Visitation will be Wednesday, June 12, from 12-9 PM, with a Celebration of Life service at 6 PM, at the Arch L. Heady Funeral Home at Westport Village, 7410 Westport Rd. Nico will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery following Mass on Thursday.

Memorial contributions can be made to one of Nico’s passions, the Thoroughbred Chorus, 10609 Watterson Trail, Jeffersontown, KY, 40299, attention to Drew Wheaton.

“You - you alone will have the stars as no one else has them. In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars are laughing, when you look into the sky at night. You – only you – will have stars that can laugh.” – The Little Prince