Nicholas James
Maraijko
Maraijko, Nicholas James
Passed away on December 25th, 2017, age 35. Beloved son of Paul and Ann (nee Hoff). Favorite brother of Rebecca (Jordan Pinkos). Cherished grandson of John H. and Elizabeth Simon Hoff. Dear nephew of David (Patricia) Hoff, Susan (Dr. Eric Johnson) Hoff, and Linda (Gene) Keller. Special cousin of Ann Marie (Erik) Fischer, and David Keller. Special friend of Nick Meyer. He will be missed by beloved pet Boris the Russian tortoise. Also survived by other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held at the FUNERAL HOME on Saturday, January 6th, from 12PM until 2PM, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 2PM. Interment Southern Wisconsin Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove.
Nick was born in Racine and grew up in South Milwaukee. He graduated from South Milwaukee high school at the age of seventeen. He served seven years in the United States Army, achieving a rank of Staff Sargeant and did two combat tours of duty in Iraq.
He was a devoted friend and family member to many in Wisconsin and North Carolina. He was an alumnus of UW-Milwaukee earning two Bachelor degrees. An avid lover of rocks, Rap and roller coasters and an enthusiastic reader who was always learning new things.
He loved animals of all kinds and they loved him back. Nick will be remembered as lighting up any room he entered and could always make you laugh. He will be greatly missed. We loved him very much.
We would like to especially thank the Milwaukee Veterans Administration for all of the assistance they provided him.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Wounded Warrior Project appreciated.
I have no words to this….I served with Nick in Iraq and he was always a positive influence. Nick was dedicated to his mission and to his soldiers. He was a fellow NCO, one that I looked up to because he led by example and was admired by his soldiers, but did so with ease. He could make a person laugh when things weren’t going the best, This hits hard, prayers to his family and friends that knew him best
My condolences to the family of Sgt Mar.aijko. aka Lil Nikki. He was such a genuinelly good hearted man and good friend. Proud to have served with him and got to meet him. Not Forgotten.