Nicolaas Nap

NAP, NICOLAAS, 80, of Pembroke Pines, born October 3, 1931 in Zwaag, Holland, died Feb. 8, 2012 after a 10 month battle with cancer. Survived by his wife Dee; four step-children and their spouses, Deborah and Mark Rosenthal, John and Marilyn Nigro, Karen and Jeff Lazzaro, Valorie and Ron Sanford; grandchildren Nicole Nigro, Kristin and Mark Schweitzer, Paul Thomas, Ryan Sanford, Lindsey Thomas, Jennifer Rosenthal, Jessica Sanford, Jason Rosenthal; great-grandchildren Timothy Arnold, Luke and Jonathan and Matthias Schweitzer, and Holland McDermott. Throughout Nick's career in the hospitality business, he worked all over the world with Hilton Hotels and was affluent in Dutch, Spanish, German, French and English. In 1968, he was brought to the U.S. by the owner of Sky Lake Country Club, Miami, to be the General Manager where he met his wife-to-be, Dee, who was club hostess at the time. They were married in 1970 and Nick became the loving and caring father of her four children who were then ages 11 through 16. He later managed Coral Reef Yacht Club, Miami, for 16 years until his retirement in 1994. Always thoughtful of the needs of others, Nick then volunteered for 7 years as a guardian ad lidem in the Florida court system, representing and protecting children in crisis. Over the last 10 years, he was a volunteer "regular" at Pembroke Lakes Elementary, then Pembroke Pines Charter School, as a role model and in support of his great grandson, Timothy. Always conscientious and disciplined about being healthy and staying fit, he worked out six days a week at Memorial Hospital gym and making a great many friends in the process. His Dutch background provided him with a "green thumb" and a love and talent for growing beautiful orchids, a hobby he enjoyed throughout his retirement. Nick was a man of kindness, honor, and honesty. His integrity was beyond reproach. He was the strength and backbone of the family he loved and who loved him. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. The family would like to thank and invite donations in Nick's honor and memory to Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital or Hospice by the Sea for their wonderful care and compassion. A small family service will be held in Fort Pierce, Florida.