Nicholas Dempsey, 67, of Huntsville, AL, and formerly of Vero Beach, FL, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, February 7, 2026, surrounded by his immediate family.
Born on January 2, 1959, in Vero Beach, FL, Nicholas was the son of Barbara Dempsey and the late Wilborn “Bill” Dempsey. He graduated from Vero Beach High School and went on to earn a B.S. from Georgia Tech, an M.S. from Syracuse University, and another M.S. from SUNY College of Technology.
Nicholas built a distinguished career as an electrical engineer with companies including General Electric, SRC, and Lockheed Martin. A lifelong enthusiast of radio technology, he was a licensed Amateur Radio Operator who actively participated in field day events. He was also a private pilot certified to fly single-engine aircraft and gliders. He held memberships with the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
Music remained a constant in Nicholas’s life. He played trombone in the Vero Beach High School band and later performed with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. He also dedicated time to the Boy Scouts of America during his son’s youth, serving as Den Leader for Pack 153 and Scoutmaster for Troop 51 in Fayetteville, NY. He also served as a select adult leader to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, NM in 2014.
An avid athlete and outdoor enthusiast, Nicholas completed several 10K races—including two appearances at the Utica Boilermaker—and enjoyed weekend cycling and long-distance rides. One of his favorite pastimes was taking long drives with his wife, Joan.
He is survived by his mother Barbara; wife Joan; son Benjamin and daughter-in-law Kenzie; brother Joseph and his wife Chris; and brothers-in-law John Przestrzelski and wife Monica, and Gary Przestrzelski and wife Mary Jane of Frankfort, NY.
A special “Thank You!” to Ruby Caples and caregivers of Caples Home Healthcare for taking such excellent care of Nicholas. They made our journey easy and comfortable.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Antioch Primitive Baptist Church, 1210 Old Dixie Hwy, Vero Beach, FL. Interment will follow at 2:00 PM sharp at Winter Beach Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Antioch Primitive Baptist Church, 1210 Old Dixie Hwy, Vero Beach, FL 32960
May his memory bring comfort to those who knew him.
