Nicholas "Nick" Bruce Joines

Nicholas “Nick” Bruce Joines, died very unexpectedly on April 22, 2023, at his family home of hemopericardium, ruptured ascending aorta. He was only 42 years old. His family is deeply saddened and beyond shocked by his sudden death.

Nick is survived and missed by his loving wife Christine (Mann) of almost 10 years; and his children, Natalie (6) and Madison (2) as well as his menlies, Tomie & Digit. Forever loved and cherished by his parents Gary “Michael” and Robin Joines, and siblings and their families; Brad, Wes & Carey Joines. His memory lives on with his nieces; Scarlett, Audrey, & Caroline “Ellie” Joines. Nick will be remembered by his Uncles: Phillip “Unc” Francis and Gregory Bruce. His memory will also be cherished by the Mann family; Denise, Graylin & Cathleen Mann.

Nick was born in Havre de Grace, Maryland on May 1, 1980 and grew up in Dublin, Maryland. He loved growing up with his two little brothers, Wes & Brad, especially because he now had a Ghostbusting team together. They spent hours protecting their house from a ghost invasion. He prided himself in being like a father figure to both of them proudly mentioning that he would change their diapers at age 8. He taught them to drive, he taught Brad to skate (after teaching himself) and even funded Brad’s hockey ventures at only 22. Being an avid Washington Capitals fan himself, he was proud of watching his kid brother be a brute on the ice. Nick grew up at a great time to be an Orioles fan playing catcher in little league emulating Rick Dempsey and to the day he died, was an passionate O’s fan. He also grew up admiring NFL Hall of Famers like Dan Marino, loving him because he had curly brown hair like him and John Elway for his stature, style, and precision. He trained hard on the field and off with his dad, Mike, becoming a terrific athlete himself, making the varsity football team at C. Milton Wright High as a sophomore.

Nick developed his interest in dirt, steel, and concrete at an early age on job sites with his dad and getting to hang around large equipment. This also led him to be such a careful driver after learning to drive on a dump truck at 14! He took this interest and got his start as a soils technician and draftsman at CNA. He then went to work at GroundTek for his “Uncle” Greg as draftsman and designer. He started Harford Community College in an engineering track and in 2006, transferred to the University of Maryland where he earned both a Civil Engineering degree and also the love of his beautiful bride, Christine. This made him a trail-blazer for his brothers, being the first to graduate from a university. After high school graduation, his brother Wes joined the US Marine Corps becoming a 3 tour veteran, before moving in with Nick and Christine to attend the UMD and later re-joined the armed forces in the Army. Wes’s military career and accomplishments are something Nick loved to talk about and was honored to support in every way. Brad later also moved in with Nick and Christine, also starting at UMD receiving a degree in Aerospace Engineering, another proud moment for his brother Nick! Nick was a phenomenal big brother and would do anything possible to support them.

After college, Nick was hired as a structural engineer at Moffatt & Nichol in Baltimore, MD. He worked tirelessly on honing his craft, often reviewing hundred year old plans, picking apart the city and port of Baltimore’s infrastructure and loved finding solutions. He had many mentors at Moffat & Nichol, who taught him things that his precious steel manual couldn’t. This led to adding “geotechnical engineer” and “specialist in deep water foundations” to his resume.

Though he worked hard, he loved to act like a kid and have fun too. He never met an arcade he didn’t like and certainly had quite the collection of superhero memorabilia. What won over Christine’s heart was his ability to laugh and have fun, telling jokes and lighting up a room. This eventually led to (7 years later), marrying Christine at the University of Maryland only a block from where they had met.

In 2017, Nick and Christine’s love grew exponentially with the birth of their first baby butt, Natalie. She was everything they had been patiently waiting for. He always talked about wanting a Jr. or a son, that is until the day he found out they were having a girl. Naming her after the two matriarchs of their families both passing in their 90’s, Natalie Grace, was destined to be a strong, fierce woman and she will continue to embody this, making her daddy proud. In 2020, Madison Elizabeth joined the family. She is the perfect complement and completion to their family. A perfect mix of silly with a huge heart, just like her Daddy. He was so happy to be a girl dad, embracing the princesses, dances, and dress up, but while also sharing his love of sports, superheroes (in particular Batman), the Mario Bros., and most of all his beloved guys, the Ghostbusters. Each of them having their own proton pack, a favorite activity was ghost hunting in the house with the PKE meter and the trap. Nick/ Daddy will be missed every single day.

Nick was never scared to take on new opportunities having a thirst for new knowledge. He led by example and did everything with honesty and integrity. He had very strong values and was well liked by everyone, mostly due to his upbeat energy. Nick always made time to help others. His legacy will carry on forever reminding us to choose to live a life of meaningful acts of love and service, like Christ modeled for us.

There are no words that can express how grateful and blessed we are to our family and friends who were there for us on the day of his passing, helping to keep a birthday party fun while keeping Christine upright. Also a heartfelt thank you to the MCPD, EMT, & Firefighters, and for their response and doing everything they could. His family is at peace knowing how quickly his life ended and that Nick will not grow old with any ailments or afflictions. As someone who avidly worked out, he went out in “peak physical performance” of which, we believe Nick to be grateful. We see him in the faces of his baby girls and they are the perfect legacy to leave behind. We are happy to be celebrating his birthday on the day of his service. What a true celebration of a short, yet wonderful life!

A visitation for Nick will be held Monday, May 1, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home, 11800 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM.

Please join our family, friends, and loved ones at the Brookeville Beer Farm for a celebration of life and to party for Nick’s birthday from 12:30-3:30.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hinesrinaldifuneralhome.com for the Joines family.