Nate and Joe

My son, Ben, played lacrosse with Nate and was a year behind him. Ben said that year was the best season of lacrosse he played because of this team. He said Nate was so positive on and off the field and even when they lost a game he was always the one to keep their spirits up. I never got to know Nate but so glad my son did. 

Nate loved cars and I was fortunate enough to go to a few auto shows in Richmond  with  Dan, Nate and my son Logan. One time Nate sat in the driver’s seat of a new car and looked out the window. I said, “you look great in that car Nate”, his response was “I look great in every car Dr Miller ”…. And he was right. ❤️❤️

Nate the Great was like a son to us and a brother from another mother to Michael.  He always came to our home with the biggest and brightest hello.  He called my husband Mr. Sal and we all laughed each and every time he said it as if it were the first time.  I often had moments  in the kitchen with Nate just chatting about life.  Michael was of course, fast asleep while Nate just joined me like one of my own.  My family was blessed to be with Nate in OBX this past summer.  We watched him surf, hang out, smoke cigars, sit in the hot tub for hours just hanging and telling stories.  Boy can he eat...we all loved how he cleaned up after dinner.  Usually with a fork in hang just eating the leftovers right out of the pots.  And of course, cleaning and taking out the trash.  He always offered to help.  Just a Gem of a young man..never finished a sentence without a thank you or yes ma'am, no sir..his manners were infectious along with his incredible smile.   We all love you Nate and look forward to seeing you again. I know your light continues to shine on all of us.  Much love, Mrs. Mancuso 

This is Sara Dietz, mother of Bron. Bron has treasured Nate as a friend. Nate made such an immense impact on everyone he met - so kind, funny, inviting, humble, grateful, and the kind of leader that everyone called friend and admired at the same time; I can’t stop crying and yet I only had a few conversations with Nate - that’s the kind of impact he had on people; “To know him is to love him” is SO TRUE of Nate! I remember one very compressed car ride during a Parents Weekend; Nate had me laughing out loud the entire ride; it was so crowded in the car that he was saying that his toes were numb… then he couldn’t feel his calves, oh now his legs were numb, and wow it just traveled to his arms…. He was of course joking and having fun with the situation! And the moms weekend he recently organized - so thoughtful in his communication, planning - and such an amazing event; he was a very active, engaged, awesome human that took the time to really connect with everyone - brothers and parents alike; he truly was an angel on earth and he marked our hearts and minds deeply; I am truly blessed to have known him and so grateful that my son and Nate’s fraternity brothers and friends were able to be with such an amazing human! I would love to help in anyway and am praying throughout the day for your family and all the bereaved; I celebrate the sunshine Nate was on earth and is in heaven and stand with you in your grief of this immense loss and your joy of his awesomeness!

I want to thank all of you ahead of time for the stories about Nate. Please write them! The stories are absolute treasures and I would love to read 1000 of them! Even the seemingly simple and mundane ones - I love to read them.

It’s easy for us to find photos of Nate (I love the pics too!) But the stories will be forgotten as memories fade. Please share them. They help fill the hole in my heart.

Thank you for all the love and support.

I miss Nate so much!

This photo could have been taken yesterday. Uncle Steve will miss you kid!

Nate wasn't afraid to be Nate! What you see is what you get & it was awesome! — with Naterbug

Nate will be missed dearly by so many. One of his closest fraternity brothers gave me one of my favorite quotes of the day (you know who you are). While seeing all the people at the memorial site, he said, "We all miss Nate so much, but I really feel sorry for the people who never met him!" You are so right,  brother, Nate never met a stranger! He lit up peoples lives, and we will all remember his magic. Keep telling the stories people. I know I will.

My favorite memory of Nate is going skiing at Snowshoe every year growing up. The moms always knew the young boys would get home safe from night skiing because Nate was with them. I also watched him play goalie at sooo many Deep Run lacrosse games and he always did so well. I loved watching those games!! I love you all so much and I’ve been thinking of you all constantly. Praying for you ❤️❤️❤️

There are no words that can do justice as to what Nate means to me. When we were brand new to Virginia, Nate single handedly changed the difficult transition for one of my sons. On the first day of school his senior year, Ben entered the dreaded cafeteria with nowhere to sit not knowing anyone.  Without hesitation, Nate welcomed him to sit next to him and that day marked the beginning of an incredible friendship.  Ben considers Nate his best friend. They created so many memories in their short time knowing each other. I have no doubt many consider Nate their best friend. He is magnetic. Nate you have a forever place in this mommas heart and I told you that. What you did felt like “no big deal” but it meant the world to me and to Ben too. I love you like you are my own (I’ve told you that too) and will miss you hanging at our house on the regular. Rest easy my sweet strawberry ice cream with pretzels on top loving boy!!💕

I was absolutely  devastated when I heard the news of Nate's passing.

— with Nate Baker

My favorite memory was Nate asking to be a helping hand with his mowing business, and he let me use super nice equipment of his, later on after college being able to use the same equipment for my business as he had trained me to use years before. 

Dear Nate , I am Mac Leddy’s mom and I met you for the first time at mom’s weekend. I came up to you because I wanted to meet the Fiji  boy who put the mom’s weekend together. You were so sweet and warm, it did not take me long to see what a great young man you are . I told you what an amazing job you did. You Gave me a big hug  and said thank you. Your memory will endure in all  the Fiji  family's ‘s hearts forever. God bless you . 🙏