Posted by Monty Warner on April 20, 2012:

I first heard of Nick Tessino in Beast Barracks in the hot summer of 1974. "Loggins & Messina" were the singing duo making their names on America's music scene. And our Beast Company happened to have two shaved-head New Cadets named "Scroggins & Tessino." Their imaginations had no bounds as the dastardly Firstie Detail made raucous fun dreaming up lude lyrics to the Loggins & Messina hits "Danny's Song," "Your Momma Don't Dance," and "Pooh Corner" to mock and deride Scroggins, Tessino, and the rest of us poor beanheads. I next heard of Nick Tessino a few months later as this legendary up-start upstate-New York heavyweight plowed his way to the top of the Brigade Open Wrestling Championships. Payback is a beautiful thing. We vicariously lived through Nick as one after another upperclassman was tied into a human pretzel and limped off the mat at the hands of our new Class of '78 hero. Then, one day in 1976, we all changed companies and, lo and behold, Nick Tessino was my company-mate with the B-2 Bulldogs and our amazing TAC: Herb Lloyd. One detail later and Nick and I were roommates. A Hillbilly from West Virginia and an Italian from New York: we were a perfect match. Trips to Glens Falls, Spring Breaks, Ski trips, New York City, Double-dates... we did it all. Nick opened my eyes to a whole other world and a somewhat more cavalier way to view the attempts of West Point to achieve universal regimentation and mind control. It would be fair to say Nick was not easily broken and never entirely succumbed to the Dean's or the Commandant's appeals to "fall in line." Then it was graduation and we were off to the Army. Our's was the first class for which West Point really opened up the many Army branches and let us pursue our place in the broader Profession of Arms. Nick took Transportation Corps with an option to be a helicopter pilot. After tours in Germany and Fort Campbell, Nick landed a job as a test pilot at Fort Eustis and there he helped bring the versatile UH-60 Blackhawk into the fleet. He grew a love for the Tidewater Region and left the Army to pursue some dreams. Nick took out a loan, got a franchise, and started his mail & packaging business. It grew rapidly as Nick proved he was a superbly accomplished entrepreneur. A number of years later, Nick branched off into the mortuary business and, again, proved he could do about anything to which he set his mind and his talents. In 2003, I retired from the Army and, given my home state's dismal economic plight, I signed up to run for state-wide political office to try and change things for the better. I knew nothing of politics and was heavily out-gunned and out-matched by a slew of shrewd and well-financed politicians. Upon hearing of my Quixotic endeavor, Nick dropped everything he was doing, drove eight hours west, came straight to my side, and took up residence. For over a year, Nick Tessino essentially ran my state-wide campaign. Against all odds, Nick carried me to victory in a nine-way Primary election race and we put up one heck of a good but futile fight in the General election of 2004. This phenomenal demonstration of classmate support by Nick Tessino is something I can never forget. Nick epitomized what West Point roommates, classmates, and battle buddies are supposed to be. A truer and better friend no one could ever have. Nick Tessino was the best. Last month, my 85-year old World War II veteran father passed away. Two weeks ago (April 7, 2012), my brothers and I held a memorial service for my Dad. As the expected stream of local friends of the family gathered and passed by for visitation and a final farewell, I looked up and you know exactly who I saw. Having driven eight hours and leaving his own family for the Easter weekend, there stood Nick Tessino. Nick was exactly where he knew he needed to be -- standing by his West Point roommate -- helping his roommate say goodbye to his Dad. Just one week later, April 15, 2012, Nick peacefully passed away at his home in Yorktown. Nick remained true to the very end, literally. There will never be another Nick Tessino. The world will be hard pressed to create another with a heart as big and as golden as his. Nick Tessino did not talk a whole lot; he just did a whole lot. He never stopped giving. He lived life to its fullest and he loved unconditionally. 'Be thou at peace,' my dear friend, you taught us a lot. I'll never forget you. You will always live in those you touched; you touched many. Thanks be to God.

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