Michael Nicolai

Michael Gary Nicolai (Mike) of Cumming, GA, transitioned to his Heavenly home on August 12, 2018. He was 69 years old.

Mike was born to Jeno Philips and Ella Faye Nicolai in Atlanta, GA, on August 30, 1948. As a youngster he attended Sunday School, was baptized in the Baptist religion, and sang in the church choir. He was a Cadet Staff Sergeant in the Roosevelt High School ROTC Battalion. At age 20 he was drafted and inducted into the Marines on December 9, 1968, serving a tour of duty in Vietnam that was cut short by severe injuries from a land mine. While in the Marines he earned the Purple Heart Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 1 device, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1 device, and the Combat Action Ribbon.

Although plagued by PTSD for most of his life and lingering physical injuries related to combat in Vietnam, Mike pursued several interests and lived life as fully as he could. His first and lasting love was for his family, followed (very) closely by Georgia Tech and Atlanta Falcons football. He loved to fish and spent countless hours puttering around in his yard gardening, planting flowers and shrubs that brightened his world. He had a lot of fun hunting for treasures among other people's junk at flea markets and thrift stores. And without a nearby Waffle House he would have been completely lost.

Mike was preceded in death by his mother Ella Faye Nicolai.

Mike is survived by the love of his life, wife Helen Saine Nicolai of Cumming; daughter Brandilyn (William) Roloph of Marietta; granddaughter Hannah Ayala of Cumming; brother Robert (Sandra) Richards of Monroe; and sister Brenda (Hugh) Nix of Stockbridge.

Visitation will be at McDonald and Son Funeral Home in Cumming, GA, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Saturday, August 18, 2018, followed by a service to commemorate a special husband, father, grandfather, and friend. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers please donate to Disabled American Veterans or to a charity of your choice.

Mike will be interred with military honors at the Georgia National Cemetery at 1:00 pm on Friday, August 17, 2018. Family and friends are welcome to attend.