BOBBY G. NICHOLAI

Life long Alaska resident, Bobby Nicholai, 38, died Oct. 3 at his residence in Wasilla. The funeral is today at 3:30 p.m., at Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel, 1015 S. Check St. in Wasilla. Fr. Christopher Stanton will officiate. There will be a visitation starting at 2 p.m. prior to the service.

Bobby was born Dec. 10, 1970 to Alexie and Balassia Nicholai in Bethel.

Bobby was self-employed, selling his home-made Yupik Eskimo ulus and earrings. He also worked at Subway restaurant, chopped wood and was a member of the Search and Rescue in Bethel.

He received numerous awards at the Special Olympics for skiing.

Bobby loved fishing, fiddle dancing, skiing, bowling and basketball. He also loved doing crafts and spending time with family and friends. He also enjoyed being out in the wilderness.

His family wrote: “Bobby enjoyed passing on Native traditions to others. He was kind to all and had a good heart. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him and all who had the pleasure of meeting him.”

He was preceded in death by his father, Alexie Nicholai; brother, Tommy A. Nicholai and niece, Marelene A. Nicholai.

He is survived by his mother, Balassia Nicholai; brothers, David, Harry and Sammy Nicholai; sisters, Martha, Marla and Exenia Nicholai; nieces, Kelly Nix, Martha Binkley, Marla Nicholai, Rhonda Robnett, Shirley Ivan, Crystal Hamlin and Carla and Alexie Nicholai; nephews, Nicholas and Michael Robnett, Leif Poole, Mario Clement, Richard Hamlin and Curtis and Tommy Nicholai.

Arrangements are with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel in Wasilla.