On Saturday, Halloween, my friend of 44 years, Nick Komarchuk, p***ed away. This guy was my shop orientation, auto shop teacher and automotive mentor at Oak Lawn high school, many moons ago. He became a good friend the first time I met him as he was a wealth of automotive knowledge. He could build and fix just about anything mechanical and seemed to know just about everything about everything, plus always a blast to drink with. A better guy you'd be hard pressed finding. Over the years I've watched him build countless cars and goofy motorcycles etc. He had a stockpile of chevy stuff and cars that would make your head spin, if you ever needed something, Nick probably had it. Unfortunately, a lot of the stuff he did would be considered OT on here. He did have a wicked ( at least i thought it was) 55 Chevy named " Watermelon Man" that he ran a US 30 in the late 70s . I just spent the last hour sitting in my 36 Chevy pickup that I bought from him going on 42 years ago, drinking vodka and having a deep conversation. RIP Nick Komarchuk " MR. K" ,your friends will miss you.... see you on the other side. Mitch
Condolences to the Komarchuk family and friends on the p***ing of Nick... Thoughts your way @mitch 36...it's got to be getting pretty darn crowded in the big sky with so many leaving this big blue ball...remembering the good times helps... Regards, Stogy
We all lose our friends over time as we get older. I have lost so many that I am glad that since I joined the Southeast G***ers that I am making many new ones. You can never make a new old friend , but it eases the pain a little.
I too went to Oaklawn H.S. I graduated in 97 Mr K was an awesome teacher. I had him for my auto shop teacher both years. He definitely left an impression on me. Awesome guy he will be missed.
Hard to deal with losing a friend , especially one that you grew old with. Think of all those Special moments you had through all those years, it may lessen your pain. Farewell, Mr. K.
Sorry for your Loss. IMO you only have a few real friends in one's lifetime, plenty of acquaintances. The positive of being fortunate/lucky to grow old, get to share your memories, continue to make new ones, watch your children, grandchildren grow up. The negative is watching people in your world p*** on, makes one realize their own mortality. I Do Not take credit for the statement, (Live, Love, Laugh like every day might be your last, Nobody is promised tomorrow) This statement hits home for me for many years now.
Yes mopar57, that guy was "one of a kind". I still use his descriptive phrases to describe people, if you know what i mean. Will not be forgotten.
With the comments by @mitch 36 and @mopar57 it’s easy to see that Nick Kumarchuk was a committed teacher, he wasn’t just there for a paycheck and Summers off. I bet he not only taught auto shop but life lessons too, something we could use more of. Godspeed Mr. K.
Make sure you tell his family or write them a note or sympathy card saying what you said here. It will mean a lot to them in the coming days and future.
Pirate, there is only a son left whom I will see in the near future. I will surely let him know what an extrodinary person his father truly was. Mitch
Sadly death is a part of life and as we get older it happens more frequently. Morn the friends you have lost and celebrate the friends you still have, and remember to tell them how important they are to you. Condolences to you and your friends family, life will go on and the memories will be live on in you. HRP
Mitch: Every now and then, we have a loss of a family member or friend who has been an inspiration and/or motivating force in our lives. So sorry for your loss.
Thank God for your friend Nick. It's rare that you have a school teacher and mentor that you get to know, respect and love as a friend after your school life. As you got to know Nick in later life he became a very special friend, not just a cool teacher. I'm sorry for the loss but glad for your time spent with him. Bill Rinaldi
Having him for a friend was a real wild ride for me and all my other friends, he was different to say the least, in a good way. Thanks , Bill, see ya around maybe. Mitch
The Jalopy Journal
