Wilhelm Karl (Nick) Nikolaiczyk, 79, of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 25 ^th , 2022 at his residence surrounded by his loving family.

Nick was born on June 27 ^th , 1942 in Hamburg, Germany, to the late Anna Tony Ranzinger and Wilhelm Karl Nikolaiczyk and came with his family to the United States in 1957, growing up on Long Island, NY. He met and married JoAnn Maria Sanzone in 1963, and after the birth of his beloved daughter, Danielle, moved to Nashville to further a lifelong career in hospitality management.

Mr. Nikolaiczyk's professional positions included the Opryland Hotel and Vanderbilt University Club, and culminated in his dream come true; the founding of and partnership in the long-time Nashville restaurant institution, Nick and Rudy's Steakhouse.

Nick is survived by his wife, JoAnn (Coco) Nikolaiczyk of Nashville; daughter, Danielle Nikolaiczyk of Nashville; grandson, Wesley Stocks of Northpoint, FL; sister, Marita Morello of Patchoque, NY; and nephews, Jerome and John Morello.

A funeral mass will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, February 9 ^th , 2022 at Christ the King Catholic Church with visitation preceding the service at 10:30 a.m.

Honorary pallbearers will be Wes Stocks, Josh Cook, Hal Holden Bache, Sam McDonald, Greg Speziale, Ronnie Mundy, Martin Trunnel, Jaco Smith, and Kenny Jo Smith.