Steven Nicholas Gomes

Steven Nicholas Gomes, known to all as Nick, passed away at the age of 45 on August 9, 2023 in Merced, California. Son to Steven and Victoria Gomes of Merced, Nick was raised with his sister Melissa in Le Grand, California. At an early age, Nick demonstrated incredible intelligence. At age two, he could read the newspaper comics with comprehension. Nick was always a kid at heart. He spent his childhood mastering every classic Nintendo game, savoring Sunday morning cartoons, and reading comic books cover to cover. Of all the family road trips and summer camping weeks in the Sierras, the experiences Nick treasured most were the family trips to Disneyland, a destination he unequivocally believed is the happiest place on Earth.

In 9th grade, Nick attended Merced High School, where he learned quickly that he could combine his exceptional physical strength and strategic mind to dominate on the football field as an offensive guard. He fell in love with the game and by 10th grade, was playing on the varsity team. In 11th grade, he transferred to Golden Valley High School to be part of its inaugural class of 1996. Nick competed fiercely in everything he did and found success on the field and in the classroom. Some of his high school highlights included excelling in FFA, competing as president of his chapter’s parliamentary procedure and debate team, helping his football team get to the CIF Section Championship, and shining academically. Nick earned a full-ride scholarship to play football at Oregon State University. After injuries sidelined his time in Oregon, Nick returned home, healed up and played out his football eligibility while earning an Associate’s Degree at Merced College.

Nick’s professional life started with a job at Best Buy in Merced. He later transferred to the Milpitas store and spent a few years living in the San Francisco Bay Area. In his total of 14 years with the company, Nick learned he had a knack for customer service as his incredibly patient demeanor helped him serve even the most challenging customers.

Nick graduated magna cum laude from Grand Canyon University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business. Soon thereafter Nick became a District Representative for United States Congressman Jim Costa of the 13th Congressional District. Nick’s colleagues could count on him to remain well-informed on the issues and be the go-to-guy for talking to the most disagreeable constituents. Nick would use his calm and non-confrontational demeanor to help people feel heard and understood. More times than not, Nick could persuade unhappy constituents to feel differently or, at a minimum, “agree to disagree.” Nick enjoyed his position and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of other people, especially those in need. For example, Nick was proud of his work to help people in the communities of Dos Palos and Gustine, where he assisted the cities’ efforts to secure millions in federal funding to dramatically improve their water delivery systems.

Nick loved his family and showed it best through his loving actions. As an uncle, he never missed a birthday celebration for his niece Charlotte and nephew Gus, would drive 250 miles round trip just to babysit for an evening, and was the first - and sometimes only - adult willing to jump into a very cold swimming pool to entertain the kids for hours. They used him as a human jungle gym and he didn’t mind one bit. During his grandfather’s final years, Nick drove his Pa to and from dialysis treatments and lovingly assisted him with all his needs. Nick’s love for his parents was undeniable. He loved spending time together, whether it was a Sunday afternoon 49ers game, Friday night dinners at the Elks Lodge, a road trip to Disneyland or a wrestling match in Vegas, a backyard bbq, or time at their vacation home in Santa Cruz. Nick and his sister were in full agreement that they had won the parent lottery.

Just as much as Nick loved his family, he also cherished his friendships. For more than 20 years, Nick has enjoyed gathering with friends to play strategy games of all types including Dungeons and Dragons. Nick was known as one of the best game masters, due to his gift of storytelling, natural charisma, and his ability to memorize an entire rulebook. His friends loved that he could create an adventure, come up with different voices for the characters, and use his wild imagination and creativity to entertain them and have fun together. Many friends also shared Nick’s passion for all things Disney, professional wrestling, Star Wars, comics, and movies. In the spring of 2022, a very special person entered Nick’s life. He met his girlfriend Lindsy Newman and quickly knew he had found the love of his life. Nick adored Lindsy and looked at her in a way he had never looked at anyone else - it was the look of a man extremely happy and in love.

Nick Gomes left his mark on this world in his own competitive, quiet, kind way. He gave great hugs, had a witty sense of humor, listened intently, debated proudly, loved deeply, learned quickly, and never stopped finding joy in the power of one’s imagination. Nick Gomes was a giant among men in so many incredible ways.

Nick’s parents and sister will host a memorial and celebration of life for him at 11:00 am on Friday, September 8th at the Italo American Lodge located at 1351 W. 18th Street, Merced, California 95340. You are invited to gather and celebrate his life by sharing your favorite memories and joyful moments with Nick. Lunch will be served.

Arrangements by Stratford Evans Funeral Home.

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