Nicholas John Talarico

Nicholas John Talarico of Colorado Springs, Colorado passed away on February 25, 2016 at the age of 36. Nick was born on May 21, 1979 in New York City to John Fredrick and Mercedes Rosemin Talarico. Nick grew up in Scarsdale, NY where he resided with his parents until he graduated from High School in 1997. He shared a very special and close relationship with his parents. Nick then attended the University of Rhode Island on a full academic scholarship. He served as the student body Treasurer and a Resident Assistant. He became a Student Senator and led the charge to re-establish the fraternity Zeta Beta Theta on campus. Nick earned his Bachelor's Degree in Political Science with a minor in Engineering and was the commencement speaker of his graduating class. Nick began attending law school at the University of Connecticut at Hartford Law School in 2003. While in Law School, Nick took a special interest in social justice and knew that he wanted to commit his career to public service. Nick obtained an internship with the Philadelphia Public Defenders Office which further solidified his work with some of the most vulnerable people in society. After Law School, Nick began to work at the Committee for Public Council Services in the Children and Family Law division in Massachusetts in 2006. He spent 7 ½ years representing parents and children in child welfare cases. He zealously advocated for all of his clients and truly believed that even parents accused of doing horrible things deserved empathy, compassion, and a voice. His commitment to justice was evident not only in his work, but in every way he lived his life. In 2008, through his work with CPCS, Nick met the love of his life Amy Kelso. They were married in Massachusetts on March 24, 2012. Their daughter, Mercedes Rose Talarico, was born on November 13, 2013. ""Sadie"" was named after Nick's mother who passed away in 2011. From the moment she was born, Sadie stole his heart and was the light of his world. Nick had many wonderful accomplishments, but being a father is his single greatest accomplishment. In 2013, Nick, Amy, and Sadie moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado to be closer to Amy's family. Nick spent the next 9 months at home with Sadie. Out of all of his work, being a stay at home dad was most definitely his favorite. In May of 2015, Nick went back to work at the office of the Child Representative in Colorado Springs. He worked as a Guardian ad Litem in child welfare cases until his passing. Nick had a great love of baseball, music, reading, and debating. He spent his free time in Massachusetts playing on a baseball team where he developed many lifelong friendships. He also participated in a fantasy baseball league with seven of his law school friends. Nick had a very large extended family whom he deeply loved and cared for. He was a devoted husband, father, son, uncle, cousin, brother, and nephew. Everyone he met was affected by his infectious smile, sense of humor, and welcoming demeanor. Nick is survived by his wife Amy Kelso, and his daughter Mercedes Talarico; his father John Talarico and his wife Nomi Hines; his Aunt Rita Reilly; nieces and nephews Marlee & Rilee Lucero, Haley Ruggiero, Lorenzo & Ebony Weber, Caden LaMonda, Alex & Aida Reilly, Emoya & Mellana Davis, Elana Green, Brenden, Mollie & Owen Laughlin; brothers & sisters-in-law, Christopher Kelso & Mindi Manes, Michelle & Josh Lucero, Mindy & Nathan Weber, Michele & Justin Laughlin, Christina & Jason Argo; cousins Lawrence Reilly, Ralph & Anastasia Reilly, Mothers & Fathers-in-Law, Jim & Rhonda Hale, Jody Kelso & Julia Green and many extended family and friends; the Ros Family, the Bonilla Family, the Nieves Family, the Phelan Family, and the Hines Family. He was preceded in death by his mother Mercedes Rosemin Talarico and his uncle Lawrence Reilly. Visitation is on Thursday, March 3, 2016 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. with services being held on Friday, March 4, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. at Horan & McConaty, 7577 W. 80th Ave., Arvada, CO.