Nick Cumberland

Nick Cumberland of Diamondhead, age 45, was born July 22, 1977 and passed away peacefully in his sleep on December 11, 2022.

Nick was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Jennifer Baum Munoz; his maternal grandparents, Edgar LaFrance and Georgia LaFrance; and his paternal grandparents, Louis Cumberland and Vera Cumberland.

He is survived by his loving wife, Amanda Cumberland; his cherished children, Kenzie Cumberland of Gulfport, Nicholas Cumberland Jr of Diamondhead, and Kayla Broome (Connor Moran) of Starkville/Diamondhead; his parents, Ted and Debbie Cumberland of Diamondhead; his parents-in-law, Ray and Cindy Gonzales of Gulfport; his brother, Neil Cumberland (Leona Klein) of Saucier; his brother and sister-in-law, RJ & Amanda Gonzales of Mobile; along with his precious niece and nephew, Reese Gonzales and Jay Gonzales; Best friend, Tommy Sartin (Mireille) of Long Beach; Along with many uncles, aunts, cousins in his very large and treasured family.

Nick graduated from Long Beach High School in 1995 and was involved in soccer, football, baseball, and student council. He was also awarded the honor of Mr. Long Beach High School for his senior year. He was known for his charm, humor, and twinkly sparkle of life. He went to Army boot camp shortly after high school graduation. Then made his way to MGCCC-JD Campus, Mississippi State University, and University of Southern Mississippi.

After college, he started his career with Coca Cola, Nordan Smith, Casino Magic/Bay St Louis, a journalist & food writer for Sun Herald, and eventually as plastics technician at GE Plastics in Bay St Louis.

Nick was passionate about soccer throughout his lifetime from an early age as goalie for rec & high school then as coach for his children’s teams as they grew up. He was instrumental in rebuilding BAYS Soccer after Hurricane Katrina and held many board positions over the years including President, Vice President, Treasurer, and a coach for multiple teams. He helped develop a soccer league for blind children in the area that wanted to play soccer because he felt that every child that wanted to play should have the opportunity to do so.

Nick was a longtime season ticket holder for Saints football through the paper-bag-on-head days all the way to current. The highs & lows were all experienced in the Dome with him in attendance and cheering on the boys in Black & Gold. He loved watching Braves baseball with his parents, and they made yearly trips to games in Atlanta during his lifetime to display his tomahawk-chop skills, grab a baseball hot dog, and make memories. He followed MS State football & baseball especially in the recent years while his youngest daughter is there for school.

Nick’s entire existence revolved around his family. His 3 kids- Kenzie, Nicholas, and Kayla were his pride & joy. Anyone who ever talked to him for more than 2 minutes knew all about their accomplishments, personalities, and could hear the pride & love he spoke of them. They were his world. He was a big kid himself so all three of them enjoyed his big, full-of-life presence in their school involvements, practices, games, and achievements. They have amazing memories of family vacations & life full of his jokes & laughter.

His heart & his rock in life was his wife, Amanda. They were happiest together, didn’t matter where, just together. He bragged about her cooking or her real estate career, charity work, & community successes to anyone he met and their bond was obvious to the world. His biggest wish for his children is they experience with their future spouses the love, devotion, and life he had with Amanda. The love, the laughter, the good, the bad, and the wonderful blessing to know you are loved every minute of every day.

Nick Cumberland was a member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Pass Christian and St Thomas Catholic Church in Long Beach. He attended Cursillo and felt God forgives and God listens.

Nick had such a big & fun personality that was full of charm, laidback attitude and genuine desire to help those around him. He was a Wish Granter for Make-A-Wish. Nick also reigned as a Duke & then King Jupiter XLVI of the Krewe of Gemini/Gulfport. He had additionally been involved in the Carnival Association of Long Beach and St Paul Carnival Association of Pass Christian. All three organizations raised money to enhance children’s educational opportunities along South MS. Nick & Amanda always had a house full of kids & bonus kids and he guided so many of them in his wisdom and example by being a wonderful man that showed strength, emotion and loved those around him deeply. He was happiest with a house full of laughter, love, and good food (he called it his Amanda cooking show every day), movies, & music. He could quote any movie and was passionate about music, played the guitar, and had a wonderful singing voice. He would love to sit around a bonfire and sing to his wife while playing the guitar or just watching the stars or sunsets with her. Nick enjoyed hunting on family land in Liberty and being out in nature with his kids, wife, and cousins. Every day was an opportunity for adventure and memories. He completed his college degree on December 5, 2022 that he started 26 years ago. His determination to obtain his degree was to set an example that anything can be accomplished through determination and effort. He completed his requirements using talk assist technology and pure grit.

Nick struggled with the effects of ALS/Lou Gherig Disease in the last several years and its toll on his body and mental health status. He was man enough to speak freely of mental health struggles for men in society and the stigma that is associated with it. He also tried to help others going through similar experiences as he recognized their struggles. He was private about his medical condition and enjoyed the company of his family and closest friends in the last couple of years within the warmth of the home he & Amanda created together as his safe haven. Nick passed peacefully in his sleep curled up with his loving wife, exactly where he wanted to be after enjoying a night of camaraderie, laughter, and great food with his kids & bonus kids that were home from college. He will be missed tremendously by his family & friends that were blessed to have been loved by Nick Cumberland.

The family would like to thank Team Gleason, the Ocshner ALS clinic of New Orleans, the ALS Association of LA/MS, Ashley Perry, Dr Kantrow, Dr Edwards, Dr. Rao, Dr Chevis, Dr Sidney Smith and Kim Epperson, Dr Justin Holt, the entire Neolife Physical Therapy staff of Bay St Louis, Numotion in Slidell & Loves Pharmacy/ Pass Christian. Huge appreciation to these doctors and facilities along with all their staff for his excellent and compassionate care over the years. Also in appreciation to Jason Green of Riemann’s Funeral Home for his dedication to providing caring service through his discussions with Nick and then the family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution in his name to Make-A-Wish of South MS (P.O. Box 7488, Gulfport, MS 39506) to help grant wishes for children along South MS with life threatening/serious illness. Or to St Jude Children’s Hospital. He recognized the strength of hope in healing as a wish granter and would want every child to have the opportunity to experience the blessing of healing.

His celebration of life and Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, December 17th at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church located at 9062 Kiln Delisle Road, Pass Christian, MS 39571. The family asks that attendees wear crazy socks in his honor as he loved his crazy socks. There will be a Memory Table set up to write down a favorite Nick Cumberland memory for the family to compile a Memory Book to reflect on in the future and revisit the countless stories of Nick. Visitation will begin at 10am, Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am with Fellowship Lunch immediately following in the Parish Hall.

The Riemann Family Funeral Home, Pass Christian, is serving the family and online condolences may be offered at www.riemannfamily.comN