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Alexander Nicholas Klemuk
Alexander Nicholas Klemuk, known as “Nick,” died January 31, 2020, at his home in Bonne Resolution on St. Thomas, USVI. He was 74 and his wife of 52 years, Phyllis (Woolcot), was at his side.
Born March 18, 1945, in West Palm Beach, Florida, to Nick and Betty Klemuk, he was raised in Southampton. He graduated from Southampton High School in 1963, where he forged friendships that lasted a lifetime. Two of his fondest memories from those years were being a part of the undefeated 1962 championship Mariners football team and having his “S” and anchor design (still in use today) selected as the logo for the new school.
A veteran of the U.S. Army, Mr. Klemuk was stationed in Alaska following the devastating earthquake of 1964. Realizing that snow was not for him, he moved to St. Thomas where he met Phyllis.
The couple married at Fort Christian on February 14, 1968. Once married, they lived in a variety of places — St. Thomas, New York, California, Georgia, but decided in 1983 to return to “paradise” where they had fallen in love.
Mr. Klemuk’s training as an architectural draftsmen proved a valuable skill within the growing construction trade on St. Thomas. During his working career, he held positions with the VI Department of Planning & Natural Resources, Crouse Hampton, H. Stern, Roy’s Construction and Custom Builders.
Since being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in April 2016, he lived much of the time with his sister and brother-in-law at his childhood Southampton home to be near his team at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. After his treatment options had ended, his wife made his dream of returning to his island home a reality.
Mr. Klemuk, who loved being on (and under) the waters of the Caribbean, was an avid photographer, enjoyed music of almost every genre and had a lifelong passion for classic cars and hot rod trucks. His greatest joy and his greatest gift was his ability to laugh and talk with everyone he met, survivors said.
He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; brother Gary and wife Mirta San Martin; sister Sandra and husband Richard Braun; sister -in-law Barbara and husband Elton Ricketts; brother-in-law Steven Woolcot; and his nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces.
No services were held.
Memorial donations may be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.
on Feb 12, 2020