Julius A. ‘Nick’ Kepics, Age 97, formerly of Leechburg, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours on Friday, February 7, 2025. He was surrounded by and in the care of the compassionate and dedicated staff at the Community Living Center Hospice Facility at the VA Hospital H.J. Heinz Campus in Aspinwall, Pa.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 75 years, Eva Mae (Supansic) Kepics, mother Mary Kezmes, father Nicholas Kepics, brothers Robert and James Kepics, and sisters Betty Dezzutti, Helen Querio, and Mary Blake. He is survived by his son, Nicholas Andrew Kepics (Suzie) and daughter Karel Kepics Ulizio (Anthony); cherished grandchildren Christopher Alyott Kepics (Jennifer), Michael Anthony Ulizio (Mallory), Sarah Louise Ulizio (Christopher), and Anne Elizabeth Ulizio (Matthew O’Donnell); and great grandsons Cade Anthony Ulizio, Amos Ellingwood Ulizio, and Liam Jackson O’Donnell. 

Nick grew up in Georgetown, Pa., enmeshed in a small, close-knit community of his fellow Hungarian-Americans along with people from all backgrounds. He attended Leechburg High School, but quit to join the U.S. Navy to defend his country in WWII where he was stationed in Guam. After the war, he returned to western Pennsylvania, and like so many of his generation, found a job in the steel mill. One day, after a grueling shift at the mill, he headed to Highfield Park outside Vandergrift to play a game of baseball with some friends. Little did he know he would meet Eva Mae “Evie,” and fall quickly in love. They got married within the year. 

Nick soon realized he was not cut out for a life in the mill, and having tasted navy life, he chose to make it his career. He and Evie went on to have two children, and navigated the life of a military couple: months spent apart, uprooting their lives every two years, and making memories in the short periods they had together as a family in between deployments. His 35-year naval career afforded him the opportunity to travel to places he never would have dreamed of visiting as a young boy, from Portofino Italy to the Rock of Gibraltar to Paris. He brought bits and pieces of his travels back to his family: castanets from Spain, a windmill music box from Holland, and swords from the far East. He wanted his children to experience the wonders of the world, and always encouraged them to try new foods, travel when they could, and embrace new ways of thinking. 

The last few years of his naval career were spent as a recruiter in New Kensington. He wanted others to experience and benefit from a life serving the country and seeing the world. After retiring in 1980, Nick worked as a mail carrier for several years, enjoying the opportunity to interact with neighbors and stay fit on his route. He was now also able to enjoy precious time with his four beloved grandchildren and settle back into civilian life in the Alle-Kiski valley. He developed a hobby to honor his years spent on deck as a chief boatswain’s mate by creating and sharing intricate knot boards, “monkey fist” keychains, and nautical knot frames. He continued to seek out new opportunities whenever possible: he strapped on skis for the first time in his 60s in order to spend the day with his grandchildren. His famous “yard-sale” wipe-out is a family legend.

Nick knew his time with us was limited and told his daughter to “tell them” that ‘he was in his 90’s, lived a good life and made good decisions. He also wrote a few words in anticipation of his passing that asked that we not weep by his grave, because he just went back out to sea and would be a thousand winds that blow. 

His wit and humor, and lust for life is something his entire family will forever keep close in their hearts. 

Friends will be welcomed by his family on Friday, February 14, 2025, from 9-11 a.m. at the Clawson Funeral & Cremation Center, 170 Main St., Leechburg, 724-842-1051, where a Blessing service will begin at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Alan N. Polczynski officiating.  Private interment will follow at St. Catherine Cemetery in Gilpin Township.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests memorial contributions to the nonprofit organization, Disabled American Veterans (P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301; 877-647-VETS (8387); www.dav.org.