Nicholas McClay, 35, of Sugar Hill, GA died at Northside Hospital August 5, 2023. He was born in St. Louis Park, Minnesota February 18, 1988, and he lived most of his life throughout Gwinnett County, Georgia. He spent the hot Georgia summers as an official and unofficial comic relief at MDA camp Walk-n-Roll, where he brought laughter and helped initiate lifelong friendships and family using the full extent of his verbal and physical comedic abilities. He graduated from Dacula High school in 2006, where those who knew him remarked on their appreciation of his dry wit.
Nic demonstrated his love by his actions. His family and friends reveled in shared experiences of music, sports, BBQ road trips, thought-provoking cinema, and games of all kinds. Nic was a fierce foodie, and he was always willing to share a new dish with people he cared about, with reciprocity, of course. His energy drew the ones he loved into the family of his church, showing others the love of Christ and how to worship with rock-n-roll.
Those close to Nic know he would most love to be remembered as an athlete. He had an illustrious career in Power Soccer, playing for the Shepherd Strikers, Atlanta Synergy, and the Atlanta Tigers. The middle child in a family of zealous competitors, he is the only one to boast of multiple appearances on the international stage, competing in multiple Power Soccer World Championships and international tournaments. Though Nic could hardly be considered boastful, and his humility and passion for the game later led him to coach and demo the sport he loved, passing on his enthusiasm to the next generation of Power Soccer players.
Nic was an ever-present fact-checker of others’ knowledge of movies, television, and sports trivia, especially football. His absence in the 2023 NFL season will surely be felt by those in his fantasy football bracket accustomed to hearing his good-natured trash talk and others with whom he debated endless predictions and contingencies for the post-season. He is survived by his Mother and Father, Terry and Kim McClay, his two brothers, Ryan and Mike McClay, and his nephews and sister-in-law, Ashton, Jordan, and Katie McClay. Beyond Uncle Nic’s goofy demeanor and his penchant for pulling a laugh at the most unexpected times, his family remembers him as lovably hardheaded and unapologetically opinionated (“Why would it not be spelled ‘Nic?’”). He was never afraid to speak his mind to deliver some hard truth with love. Those who received his admonishment were made better and will sorely miss his blunt wisdom.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 3:00 PM at Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel. Mr. McClay will be cremated following the service. The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 12, 2023 from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM at the funeral home. Share memories of Nicholas at hamiltonmillchapel.com Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel 770-945-6924
