Nolan burst onto the scene in Burlington, Vt., on April 29, 2004, and was promptly squeezed into a Florida Marlins’ onesie and toted off to the Little League field for opening day festivities. He was immediately absorbed into the active lives and loving hearts of his older brother and sister, Foster and Brianna, and his parents, Jennifer and John.
Jericho, Vt., was Nolan’s home, and his childhood revolved around the family farmhouse, a couple of barns, an ancient trampoline, a half-built treehouse and a pack of friends. He attended Jericho Elementary School, Browns River Middle School, Mount Mansfield Union High School and the University of Vermont, but Nolan also learned many lessons on the road — living abroad in Vietnam in second grade and in Morocco in middle school — where he learned to bravely try new things, communicate with limited language skills and embrace new cultures.
Nolan’s contagious smile twinkled from his eyes and lit up every room he entered. He was loved deeply by his family and friends, and he loved them back with all of his heart. Yet love was not enough to keep Nolan here. On December 21, 2025, he took his own life. Despite his easy smile, constant kindness and sweet humor, Nolan was struggling to navigate the complexities of being a young adult in 2025, as well as layers of sorrow about which we can guess but never know.
As we move forward, we will focus on all that was beautiful and loving about Nolan. We’ll continue to tell the funny stories of his adventures and find comfort in our memories of his warm love. We encourage you to do the same. Keep Nolan’s memory alive by treating yourself to a spicy snack, taking a run for him on a powder day at Bolton Valley or planting a sunflower in the spring to remember the warmth and color that he brought to all our lives.
For Nolan’s full obituary, please visit cremationsocietycc.com.
We will celebrate Nolan’s life with a memorial service on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington, 152 Pearl St., Burlington, VT. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
This article appears in Jan 7-13 2026.
So sorry to hear of the loss of such a young bright soul. I feel for your pain as we all struggle to understand.
This is so damned sad. I understand it. I’ve been in similar places, and today’s world is far more unfriendly to the young than my world was. But every cell in our bodies contains miracles that scientists can’t explain. Young people — and young mothers especially — need far more attention and help than they get. If we don’t tackle this, it will only get more heartbreaking in the future.
I am so terribly sorry for this beautiful child’s passing!! All of you will remain in my prayers!
I send you love and prayers.
How handsome!
Life is so difficult to maneuver through and some things just are difficult to share.
Your memories of him will always be yours to remember and share.
He shouldn’t be forgotten.
As someone who’s struggled with mental health, this breaks my heart. I hope he is no longer in pain.
Such a heartbreaking loss for a loving family. His exquisite smile stopped me in my tracks before I realized the purpose of the post. May you be comforted with how his energy radiates well beyond the confines of his being — now and forever — a truly, beautiful soul.
My heart is with you. My 30 year old son took his life 3 years ago. He shared with me the pain of being him all his adult life. Anxiety and self doubt plagued him all his life. I can’t begrudge his leaving; he felt too much pain to stay. But I miss him terribly. I’m so sorry you are in a club no one ever wants to join. Please share the deep love you have for him with as many others as you can, and be patient with yourselves and each other. Grief is a wildly winding road for each of us to travel. Hold your memories close.
I am heartbroken 💔 for this beautiful young man and his family how cruel life can be. I lift Nolan up in love and prayer 🤲 and peace. God Bless you all.
Condolences to the family… rest in peace Nolan.
So tragic… we have lost so many … suffering pain that leads to this … an epidemic… too often with out warning and lacking a cure… I wish no one felt they had to leave … we must do better to love everyone and be supportive to all.