College Student's Death Shocked Family, Pastor Says

Rev. Jason Parzynski knew Nicholas Pratico for years, both as a pastor at St. Raphael Holy Angels Parish in Hamilton Township and at Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville. He described Pratico as a modern day renaissance man, and someone who was always very caring and compassionate. He was someone anyone could easily turn to if they needed something, Parzynski said.

He also showed no outward sign that he was troubled, so when Parzynski learned that Pratico had taken his own life earlier this week, he was shocked.

“Most people, because he had shown no outward signs that he was in a dark place, thought he had just run off to New York to get his acting career started early,” Parzynski said. “ … Suicide never makes sense, but in this case, it’s much harder to accept because no one ever thought this would have been the end result.”

When Pratico initially went missing from Mercer County Community College back on Sept. 20, police said they believed he may have been headed for the New York City area, specifically Times Square or the New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts at 39 West 19th Street, where he was to begin taking classes in the spring.

When a month went by and he hadn’t been found, Parzynski said the possibility that he had fled to New York became even more likely.

Then, on Monday, Oct. 23, Hamilton Township and New Jersey State Police discovered Pratico’s body across the street from the college, bringing a tragic end to a desperate search for a student who had a promising future.

“He excelled in sports, music and theater,” said Parzynski, who said that Pratico didn’t always realize how talented he was.

“He was also in the film program and he organized the big promo videos, including the La La Land skit,” Parzynski said. A video of the skit is posted below. “Kids tend to find their niche in high school, but he was good at everything."

As a result, everyone knew him, and the impact he left on the school was unmatched. Pratico graduated from Notre Dame in the spring — he was registering for classes as a freshman at Mercer County Community College the day he went missing — so the upperclassmen at Notre Dame knew who he was and were hit hard by his death.

After the news emerged on Monday, Notre Dame held a school-wide mass and counselors were available to help students grieve and cope with their loss. They also spoke about suicide and what students can do to find help when they are troubled. Parzynski said the family is doing what they can to meet the needs of the community while grieving for the loss of their loved one.

Pratico’s loss was felt beyond the community, as well. This week, Tony-award winning broadway star Ben Platt tweeted, “RIP Nick Pratico. I wish we could've seen more of your talent and goodness. To anyone feeling lost, you're not alone. Hold on & keep going.”

When Pratico first went missing, singer-songwriter and actor Josh Groban tweeted about his disappearance.

“Nick was a huge fan, and his sister and I said he would’ve been beside himself because that was one of his role models,” Parzynski said.

He said the reaction was amazing, and it showed the impact Pratico had.

“For the family, it’s good to know that everyone came together like this for Nick,” Parzynski said.

Funeral services for Pratico have been set for Monday Monday, Oct. 30, 2017, from 9 a.m. to noon at St. Anthony Roman Catholic Church, located at 626 South Olden Avenue in Hamilton, NJ, 08610.

The family will receive friends and family from 9 a.m. to noon followed by the funeral at noon. There will be no calling hours at the funeral home, and interment will be private.