Nicholas Peaspanen

In Loving Memory of Nicholas Girard-Leonard Peaspanen

Son of Leonard and Kathleen Peaspanen and brother to Nealy Peaspanen

December 4, 2010 – February 13, 2026

Nicholas Girard-Leonard Peaspanen was born on December 4, 2010, in Chandler, Arizona. From the very beginning, Nick brought light, laughter, and a larger-than-life presence to everyone fortunate enough to know him. Standing 6 feet 2½ inches tall, he was a commanding center on the basketball court, but his true greatness came from his heart.

Nick was known for his gentle ways and kind spirit. He had a natural ability to include everyone and help whenever he could. Over the years, he received multiple PACK awards at school in recognition of being an outstanding person, a reflection of the character he showed every day. His personality was full of humor and joy. He was always joking, laughing, and keeping those around him smiling. Competitive to his core, Nick hated to lose, but he loved the challenge of mastering something new, whether it was yo-yo tricks, speed-solving Rubik’s cubes, card strategies, or board games.

He loved playing Yu-Gi-Oh! and One Piece with his father, racing in Mario Kart on the Nintendo Switch, competing in Marvel Rivals on the PS5, and gathering everyone for Quiplash, Fibbage, and countless board games. While he enjoyed video games, he preferred games that brought people together. Being surrounded by family and friends made everything better.

Nick played basketball with the Ashburn Youth League and treasured driveway games with cousin Kelly and Brennan. His younger cousins, affectionately known as “the shadows” because they followed him everywhere, adored him. He loved vacations with his family, spending holidays in Dublin, Ohio, traveling to North Myrtle Beach with his best friend Ashton, traveling to New York City, swimming in the neighborhood pool during the summer, enjoying his only sleepover with his second mom Shannon, shooting pool, attending music concerts, and experiencing Broadway shows like Aladdin, The Lion King, and Back to the Future.

He was a fan of Attack on Titan, One Piece, and Stranger Things. And if there was pizza around, Nick was never far behind, earning himself the unforgettable nickname “The Pizza Killer.”

Over the past two years, Nick battled a series of serious and complex health challenges with extraordinary strength. What began as ulcerative colitis developed into a rare and difficult liver disease called Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC). Through every test, treatment, and setback, Nick met each hurdle with determination and resilience. He was recently placed on the liver transplant list, continuing to fight forward with hope. Only a week before his passing, he received the devastating news of an additional diagnosis, an extremely rare bile duct cancer so uncommon that children simply do not get it. But Nick was never ordinary. In so many ways throughout his life, he was the exception, not just in illness, but in heart, in character, and in presence. He stood apart in his kindness, in his strength, and in the way he made others feel seen and valued. Even in facing circumstances no child should ever endure, Nick showed what it means to live with courage and grace. If he was the exception, it was because he was uniquely special, a light that shone brighter than the challenges before him.

Nicholas’ life, though far too short, was full, full of love, laughter, competition, kindness, and connection. He leaves behind a legacy of inclusion, joy, perseverance, and heart. His smile, his spirit, and his example will continue to guide all who knew him.

Nick’s light lives on in every laugh shared, every game played together, every act of kindness, and every moment someone chooses to include another because that is what Nick would have done.

And that light will never fade.

Family will receive friends from 2:00p.m.-5:00p.m. SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2026 at the TIDD FUNERAL HOME, DUBLIN-PLAIN CITY CHAPEL, 9720 SR 161, Plain City, OH 43064 (614)-733-0080 where the Rosary will be prayed at 4:30p.m. His Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00a.m. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2026 at ST. BRIGID OF KILDARE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 7179 Avery Road, Dublin, OH 43017 with Father James P. Black, Celebrant. NIcholas will be laid to rest privately by his family this summer at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Ashtabula, Ohio by his grandparents Leonard and Theresa Peaspanen and his Aunt Frances Peaspanen.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to the following charities that are important to the family: PSC Partners Seeking A Cure, 6900 East Belleview Avenue, Suite 202, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, on-line: www.pscpartners.org; Cholangio Carcinoma Foundation, 5526 West 13400, South, Suite #510, Herriman, UT 84096, on-line: www.cholangiocarcinoma.org; or Standing with Nicholas Through His Battle, www.gofundme.com.

Please visit www.tiddfuneralhomes.com to share your favorite memories and to send your condolences to the Peaspanen Family.