Nicholas Anthony Gonzaba

Nicholas Gonzaba, aged 32, passed away on July 5, 2024. He is survived by his father, his loving mother Theresa Zimnoch, and his adoring sister Lindsay Zimnoch. He is preceded in passing by his grandparents Gabriel and Barbara Zimnoch. 

Nick was raised in Great Falls, Virginia, with his mother, sister, and grandparents. From the moment you laid eyes on Nick, it was love at first sight. As a child, he had the most beautiful brown hair, large brown eyes, and the sweetest smile. He charmed the hearts of many, but none more so than his mother’s. 

In his early life, Nick’s favorite pastimes were watching films and playing video games, passions which remained with him throughout his life. He excelled at soccer and was an incredible dancer. He mastered the moon walk, and moved effortlessly like a rock-star, regularly giving performances to friends and family. 

Nick and his longtime best friend, Rebecca Harrell (Bowman), shared a profound and enduring bond that spanned two decades, transcending the limits of time, circumstance, and distance. Their connection was deeply anchored in their shared love of music, with Nick thoughtfully curating a collection of mixed CDs and playlists for Becca over the years. This carefully crafted soundtrack continues to be a cherished testament to their unyielding love and friendship, forever serving as a portal to their souls, where song and prose bind them always. 

Nick’s desire to be at the forefront of cutting-edge technology inspired him to pursue a career at Apple, where he forged deep and meaningful relationships and cultivated a community of friends he cared for deeply. Nick held dear homestyle gatherings and celebrations with friends with great affection. 

Nick’s humor and quick wit made him truly unique. There is no match to Nick’s humor and ability to fill a room full of laughter. He was also incredibly passionate about cooking and experimenting with new cuisines, and believed that MSG was, in fact, useful in home cooking. His true love in life was his beautiful cat Domo, who shared many years of light and love with Nick. 

In life, Nick was incredibly beloved by his mother and sister, who never wavered in their support. Nick was magnetic, and his presence brought forth pieces of oneself that only he could witness. Nick’s super-power was a thoughtfulness - an ability to connect with one’s spirit. He created moments and stories in life that even the best writers could not muster, highlighting the depth of his compassion and care for others. 

All that Nick is and was cannot be measured in words, but he remains with us in our love and in our stories. We held our hands together in life, and I will welcome The Fates joining our hands together once again in the end. 

“Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” We love you, forevermore.