Date of Birth
November 5, 1993
Date of Death
August 27, 2023
Nicholas McCarney, age 29, of Sycamore, tragically left this earth without being able to say goodbye. His spirit is now at peace and his memories are left as a balm to the pain of his passing.
He was born November 5, 1993, to proud and loving parents, Philip and Deanna McCarney.
Nicholas grew up in Elburn and attended local schools. He graduated from Kaneland High School with the class of 2012. It was during this time that his passion for writing and his love for the outdoors became central to his life.
It would be a foundation that held firm as he continued his education at George Williams College of Aurora University. He was a commencement speaker at graduation when he received his bachelor’s degree in environmental management and sustainability. No one could hold a room like Nicholas, and his speech, to no one’s surprise, was a home run.
Nicholas was an intern at the ecology department at Fermilab in Batavia, and specialized in scientific research, and data collection. In recent years, Nicholas worked at the Sycamore Park District as a Natural Area Specialist/ Ecologist where he could indulge his personal love of the outdoors in a professional setting. It was a position that was brand new and it almost seemed as if it was tailor made for a man of Nicholas’ passions. He took on the challenge and made it his own, expanding his reach from the preservation and maintenance of the prairie lands around the Sycamore areas, to teaching elementary school students in classes he created himself. He also spoke to many classes at his alma mater, Kaneland High School, as well as other various colleges and engagements in the Midwest.
Nicholas loved all of “God’s gardens”, and enjoyed being an educator, teaching anyone and everyone about the wonder that was mother nature. He also took an interest in photography, snapping pictures of his “office” in the outdoors. His favorite subjects were turtles, snakes, birds and flowers, but no matter what he found in his lens, happiness ensued. Many of his pictures garnered him awards from the Illinois Association of Park Districts as well as the Brookfield Zoo. Nicholas was very funny and always a jokester. His intelligence was bright and inquisitive, and his spirit was infectious. Nicholas’ appetite for information was insatiable and never ending, as was his willingness to share his knowledge with everyone. Nicholas had a list of mentors that inspired him that included not only his father and grandfather who encouraged his impassioned path, but also Steve Irwin, of crocodile fame. He connected with people worldwide over the internet and met them at various locations during travels to hotspots of nature. Whether it was on a boat in the Everglades at 3 a.m. or snake migration points in Shawnee National Forest, Nicholas was not only present and accounted for, but laser focused and fascinated. During his college years, Nicholas spent a spring break in Mississippi with Living Lands and Waters, and picked up countless pieces of trash along the river and its tributaries, braving the worst weather they have had in years. Despite the harsh conditions, Nicholas was determined to make a difference, whether it was in the lives of mother nature’s children, or the people in the world around him.
He now leaves his loving parents, Phil and Deanna McCarney; his loving brother Nolan (Ellen) McCarney; his maternal grandmother, Jane Phillips; his paternal grandmother, Gail McCarney; his aunts and uncles: Debbie McCarney, Michael (Grace) McCarney, Steve (Tricia) McCarney, Cheryl McCarney, Cindy (Dan Ideran) Schingen, Char (Dan) Brown, Norm (Julie) McCarney, Kelly (Cruz) McCarney, Mark (Kelly Sue) McCarney, Mitch (Amy) McCarney, Denise (Mike) Thelander, Keith (Julie) Phillips and Kevin Phillips; many cherished cousins and countless friends both close to home, and across the world.
He is reunited with his maternal and paternal grandfather’s, Dutch Phillips and Robert McCarney and one uncle, Bob McCarney who preceded him in death.
A memorial visitation will be held Friday, September 1, 2023, from 3-6 p.m. at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. A private family burial will follow at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Nicholas’ name to benefit his love of the environment. Checks may be made to the “Nicholas P. McCarney Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com
A memorial visitation will be held Friday, September 1, 2023, from 3-6 p.m. at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. A private family burial will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Nicholas’ name to benefit his love of the environment. Checks may be made to the “Nicholas P. McCarney Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com
Nick was a very hard working student at George Williams College of Aurora University. I’m so sorry for your loss.
I went to GWC with Nick. He was enthusiastic and creative. He obviously had a passion for the earth and things among it. He will be missed.
I am so sorry to hear of Nicholas‘s passing. I live by a fair amount of park district land and had the opportunity to speak with him on numerous occasions. I was always so impressed with his knowledge and love of the natural world. He made such an impact during the time he was with the park. He will be missed.
Nicholas did an unbelievable amount of good while he was here. Kind and compassionate, he did an amazing job of getting people excited about conservation and comforting folks in need of someone gentle. What a big loss. In others he will most certainly live on, in hearts and in nature.
Nicholas did an unbelievable amount of good while he was here. Kind and compassionate, he did an amazing job of getting people excited about conservation and comforting folks in need of someone gentle. What a big loss. In others he will most certainly live on, in hearts and in nature.
My deepest sympathies to Nick’s family and dear friends. As the dean at George Williams College, I had the privilege of knowing Nick personally as he grew through his college years. I know well his love for the outdoors and his enthusiasm was contagious. In his short life, I know he made an impact on the world through his love and care for the environment. I will not be able to make the funeral services, but I will hold Nick and his wonderful family in my prayers. He will be dearly missed.
So very sorry to hear about the loss of Nicholas. We are thinking of you during this very difficult time and sending prayers of comfort and peace.
The impact Nicholas had on people is unmatched, it has been felt here in Canada and I’m sure he’s reached people much further than here too. While I only spoke with Nicholas a handful of times he reminded me what it is to be passionate and that there’s room in this field of work for all of us. I wish I could thank him personally, without him I don’t think I would have achieved the things that I did this year. I would like to extend my thanks to his friends and family, Nicholas is an amazing person and the nature nerd community across the world just won’t be the same without him. I will continue pursuing restoration and ecology in his memory, we all have big shoes to fill and we owe it to him to try.
My deepest condolences to the both of you. What an amazing picture of Nicholas with that turtle – such a handsome young man! Nicholas is up there with all of God’s creatures and at peace. Again, my sincere condolences!
Nicholas. Oh how my heart aches with this news. To his Mother and Father and loved ones I am terribly sorry for you loss. Here are some memories, some hopes, and inspirations I am left with by this announcement. Nicholas and I graduated the same year at Kaneland Highschool, my memories of him then were always filled with laughter his jokes, even the outrageously dirty ones would make me blush with embarrassment because I couldn’t contain my own laughter. His smile and charm shined so brightly. Over the course of 1.6 years I have ventured into massage therapy. In the very beginning stages of my business development Nicholas was one of my first clients to support my passion for the vision God gave me for this endeavor. We traded our skill sets, I’d preform massage therapy for his talent of photography and together, namely the work of his hands with his camera developed the images I continue to use on my business page. I have a small practice out of my house where this all has began. My floating shelves hang there because of his generosity to help me achieve my dreams. I had shared with him some of my personal artwork that I have been hesitant to fully share with the world. Nicholas encouraged my work here too, there was one painting in particular that was his favorite. He wanted to help me believe in myself and my work, and he was so genuine in his encouragement. I shared with him my lack of confidence.. how I didn’t look at at and feel it was professional because it was my own. He asked to take a photo of the painting he most adored he said, “Can I help you see your work differently”. He opened my eyes with one click of a camera shot. I use that image too to promote on my website. Achieving these images we had done together. I will carry his spirit with me as I continue to build. My hope is that I can make stickers of this collaborated piece and offer 100% of the proceeds to the foundation you have created in his honor. This is my first time in doing something like this, uncharted territory. If you have any suggestions and points of direction to make this happen I would oils appreciate the guidance you may have to offer. My number is +1 (630) 429-7278. Please feel free to reach me. I am praying, Father God, please bring forth healing and peace to cover all of those who are grieving such a great loss, may your grace pour over and into all the hearts Nicholas touched over the course of his life. In is in the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
We only ever spoke over instagram-but often for years now.
He was always a bright light & his enthusiasm was contagious. We had hoped to meet up one day, trading turtles for owls-he was apart of my instafam and will be missed…in nature especially. Many of us have felt this loss from the nature world & I send his loved ones love during this very difficult time. Hopefully see you one day N, on the other side. I will find you some owls.