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<p><em>Nicholas Francis “Nick” Altomare</em>, the son of Marilyn and Nicholas Altomare, was born in the Bronx, NY and grew up in Fishkill, NY. </p>
<p>The first engine Nick took apart was his Dad’s lawnmower, which never worked correctly after that, but Nick learned from that experience. And that started a lifelong love affair with anything that had an engine, and they all worked when he was done. </p>
<p>At 16, Nick purchased his first motorcycle, a 350cc Honda, and then he stepped up to a 750cc by his 18th birthday. He paid for both with his own money (Mom did not want her son riding motorcycles). </p>
<p>Known for his athletic prowess, Nick was the captain of both his high school football team and wrestling team. He graduated from John Jay High School in East Fishkill, NY and was accepted into the USMA Prep School and United States Military Academy. </p>
<p>Nick made an immediately powerful and positive impression on his classmates. A natural leader and a gifted athlete, he seemed wiser and more experienced than all of them. His passion, character, and generosity were immediately evident. He helped school a classmate on wrestling techniques in exchange for lessons on how someone with short arms could get inside a longer-armed opponent in boxing. </p>
<p>Nick loved the 150-pound Football Team and dominated on the field. Classmates watched in wonder as Nick would pull out all stops to tip the scale at 158 pounds at the Thursday weigh in, only to rebuild his strength in time for Saturday’s game.</p>
<p>One likely reason that Nick struggled to make weight was because his Dad would beckon Nick home for Sunday dinner. Mom wanted him there. His brother, Mike, would then smuggle Nick home in the trunk of the car. This concept worked well until one day when the MPs were stopping everyone and searching the cars. Apparently, several criminals had escaped from jail in the area. Miraculously, Nick escaped detection.</p>
<p>He was also more STRAC than the rest of his classmates. Nick led by example. He was selected, attended, and graduated Ranger School during the summer before his cow year. Late that summer, one companymate recalls being awakened in his bunk while at Airborne School. Nick had just graduated from Ranger School and stopped by to encourage him before he headed back to West Point. Nick would do anything to encourage others.</p>
<p>West Point “pokes” even the best cadets to make them stronger. Legend has it that Nick was known to shine shoes rather than study for a test. His philosophy: “these (instructors) are military officers, not academic geeks—they would never flunk someone who looks this sharp.” For Nick, this policy worked surprisingly well.</p>
<p>One day Nick approached two classmates. He had discovered a deal on two motorcycles, and they had to buy them! Nevermind that neither had any idea how to ride a motorcycle. Nick said they could stash them at his parents’ house. This initiated several legendary motorcycle stories. One included a crash into a fence while learning to navigate corners. Somehow, they all survived.</p>
<p>One Nick tale involved him “driving his 750 Honda over a baseball field wide open when he caught a small bird in the chest. The impact set him back on the end of his seat, just holding the handgrips by his fingertips.” That story epitomized Nick. Living life to the fullest and holding on by his fingertips! </p>
<p>As expected, Nick excelled in leadership and commanded a battalion as a firstie. Following graduation, Nick attended the Infantry Officer Basic Course. </p>
<p>Just before moving to Germany, Nick met Deborah Brescia, and after a whirlwind romance they were married. Nick would openly profess that his single greatest accomplishment was marrying his best friend Deborah. </p>
<p>For her part Deborah recalls: “Nick was honorable in every facet of his life. These qualities were overwhelmingly evident, and this is why I fell in love and married this driven and handsome cadet, who shared with me his future dreams. I could never imagine how exciting my life would be with this Renaissance man beside me.”</p>
<p>Nick’s first duty assignment was at Baumholder Germany. In a rare feat, Nick was selected to command on his first tour and did so successfully. Nick later served in the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Hunter Army Air Field, GA, where he commanded for a second time. </p>
<p>As a young major at the Air Command and General Staff College, Nick met an Air Command classmate, Tom Horn, and got the bug to fly. He got his pilot’s license that year and took his love of anything with engines to a new level. </p>
<p>Nick continued to serve proudly until retirement as a lieutenant colonel in 1996. His passion for flight led him to work for Gulfstream Aviation. There, in Savannah, GA, Nick continued to enjoy his other passions: woodworking, cooking and fine wines. In short, Nick appreciated the blessing that life had bestowed upon him.</p>
<p>Partners in crime for over 40 years, Nick and Deb happily raised three amazing and talented children—Zachary, Chase, and Catherine—in an environment that valued character, love and laughter. Life in the Altomare family was lived to the fullest, and Nick was the spark of many eventful family adventures.</p>
<p>Nick, a leader, teacher, and mentor, measured his success on the happiness of those around him, the love he gave freely and the friendships he never took for granted. Nick, Be Thou at Peace.</p>
<p><em>— His classmates, friends and family </em></p>
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