In Memory of Nicholas Aitken – One Taken Too Soon
Its unfortunate, but reality. People die from this disease everyday, but its not everyday that one hits so close to home.
A former resident at Gatehouse Academy, Nicholas ‘Nick’ Aitken, passed away Thanksgiving Day from injuries related to his alcohol use. View obituary.
May this page be forever in memory of his life – both successes and struggles. Our thoughts and prayers with always be with his family and friends. May his life’s experiences let us never forget how cunning, baffling and powerful addiction can be.
Feel free to leave any thoughts, prayers or memories in the comment portion below.
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December 8th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Such sad news, and yes this disease takes too many of us…and he was so young. My prayers go to his family, friends, and to those of you at Gatehouse Academy.
December 9th, 2009 at 7:48 am
I helped Nick’s family and Chris White, his Ed Consultant, enroll here at Gatehouse Academy. Nick had a lot going for him at the time and looked to be on the ‘good road.’ He had a strong desire to go back to school and finish a degree.
After loosing a close friend to a drug relates overdose, preventing these types of tragedies was why I decide to get involved the the treatment field. It really upsets me to think that the disease claimed another victim whom I had had some interaction with.
If it helps his family in any way – please no that I will not let Nick’s passing go in vain. I will do everything within my ability to remember him, and use his death as motivation to help as many other young people who struggle with addiction every day.
Please know that my prayers and thoughts are with you.
Warm Regards,
Michael Baldassare, Director of Marketing
Gatehouse Academy
December 16th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Nick had been my close close friend since we dated in 8th grade. When he finally came home a few months ago, he almost became my boyfriend until the accident. I’m not sure how I came across this page, but Chris White was actually my ed-consultant too. Nick has talked to me about his addictions and about Gatehouse Academy and the other places he went. It brings me a lot of happiness to know that everyone outside of St. Louis who knew him is remembering him too. It’s been almost three weeks and I miss him more than I can even possibly explain. He was the most creative, loving, and intelligent person I’ve ever met. He lit up a room and touched my life in such a positive way. I have not, and probably never will be, quite the same person without him. I personally, as well as all of Nick’s close friends, have learned a lot from this. I hope he is never forgotten, because I know he certainly never will be in my heart and thoughts.
December 16th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
**certainly never forgotten in my heart and thoughts
December 22nd, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Nicholas was my nephew. He was like our child before my husband and I had children. We loved him so much. What happened to him is so sad and tragic. I hope and pray that all of the young people who may read this will do two things:
1. Always remember Nicholas for the great person that he was. Though you may have seen a side of him that we did not see…. I can tell you that at his core was a really great person. He was caring, thoughtful, smart, witty, and most of all, loved by so many family members. We all were looking forward to seeing him for Christmas. We are so saddened by his death and will be for a long time to come.
2. Let this be a lesson for all of you….. the use of drugs and alcohol is not a game…. you are not invincible. A young life with such potential is no longer here with us. Though I would never wish this for anyone, realize that this could happen to any of you. GET HELP IF YOU NEED IT. Don’t put any mother through the pain and suffering that my sister is going through right now.
March 8th, 2010 at 12:19 am
Sad news. My prayers go to his family, friends, and to those of you at Gatehouse Academy. I will always prayer for those.
March 8th, 2010 at 3:56 pm
I knew this man i knew everything about this man i thought maybe i knew alot but i knew to little. he went home he would get his life together but i guess alcohol got the best of him it sucks that he died so soon and i miss him he lived in my room and we shared just about everything but a bed and food lol. he came down here from the rehab that he was in and he got a job really quick