Nicholas A. “Nick” Brush
Nicholas A. “Nick” Brush, aged 60, lost his battle with GIST (a rare form of stomach cancer) and passed away at his home in Middletown, Delaware, on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. He was very grateful to the oncologists and staff at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania who prolonged his life by getting him into clinical drug trials and other experimental treatments.
Nick grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland and graduated from the University of Delaware in 1987 with a BA in Sociology. He was a member of the UD Chorale and for several years after graduation he led and sang with a local musical group called Nick Brush & Friends. He was always a big fan of the Grateful Dead, Phish, and other jam bands, but in recent years also actively supported local Delaware musicians by posting video clips of their performances on his YouTube channel. For many years you could see him at Wilmington’s annual Clifford Brown Jazz Festival recording the performances of his favorite jazz musicians.
Nick lived his entire adult life in Delaware. After working for Meadow Wood Behavioral Health Hospital in New Castle for ten years, Nick returned to school to obtain a master’s degree in social work from Widener University. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Nick was employed by Mind and Body Consortium in Dover until December 2024. Since 2020 he also worked part-time as a mental health counselor for Better Help.
Nick was a compassionate, empathetic listener to his many counseling clients over the years. For the past six years he also managed all his father’s finances and the three home health aides who take care of his father around the clock. He was a proud liberal Democrat who treated everyone as he would want to be treated. He never married but has many close friends and clients who will miss him.
Nick leaves behind his sister, Denise Brush; his father, Stephen Brush; and his nieces Rebecca Roberts and Jennifer Dimov.
All services will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nick’s memory to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 by clicking here.
Lisa Christman
Our family was blessed to have Nick a part of us. Though we connected only a few years ago, through him we met our cousin, Stephen Brush, for the first time. We were sorry to not have him longer in our lives but thankfully he is now at peace. Sending deepest condolences to his loved ones.
Ted Pease
My deepest condolences to the Brush family on the death of my cousin Nick Brush. I have enjoyed our internet conversations about music in general and jazz in particular. His buoyant spirit was always a breath of fresh air. Rest in Peace, Nick.
Your cousin, Ted Pease
Terry Major
Sincere condolences, Denise.
Linda and Terry
Lynn Kutch Sulpizi
I’m so sorry to learn about the loss of Nick. We knew each other from the University of Delaware when we both lived in The Music House on Main St. He was very kind, gentle, and always smiling! I’m so sorry for the loss to his family and friends.
Andy Faver
I will miss you Nick. You are a wonderful guy to be around it was very loving to your friends. Your love of music was contagious and I learned a lot from you. I will think about you always.
Pete McKernan
I went to many good concerts with Nick and he’s giving me so much great music over the years. We went to a few dead, shows in the 90s and so many incarnations of the dead in more recent years, also saw the Allman Brothers at the Beacon, and cream at Madison Square Garden with our friends Cosmic Carl and Kevin and his wife!
One time me Nick and Rodney took a bus from the East End Cafe all the way up to New York City to!
RIP, brother Nick!
Christine Frick
Very nice obituary for a very nice guy with great taste in music. Rest in peace.