Obituary of Nicholas Sands

Nick Sands was an extraordinary person whose kindness, positivity, and warmth touched everyone who knew him. To know Nick was truly to love him.

He was a devoted husband to Paty Sands, an incredible father to Julia Sands, a loving son to Bob Sands and his stepmother Nina Sands, and to Beth Dunbar and her husband Robert Dunbar, and a cherished brother to Erik Sands. Nick was also a great nephew and cousin to all his many cousins, and a loyal friend who had a special way of showing up for the people in his life—with encouragement, humor, and genuine care. He made those around him feel seen, supported, and deeply valued.

Nick loved soccer from a young age and was proud to have played college soccer, where he met some of his best friends and learned so much about himself—from struggles to successes and the deep value of teamwork. That love of the game stayed with him throughout his life. He shared it with his daughter Julia, coaching her when she was little and enjoying countless games together. They also shared many joyful moments watching West Ham matches, creating memories that will be cherished forever.

The outdoors and nature were a lifestyle that Nick truly treasured. Being active outside brought him a sense of peace and helped shift his mindset into a more positive space—something he carried with him and shared with those around him. He encouraged his family and friends to experience nature in their own way, knowing that those moments outdoors could bring comfort, clarity, and connection. Whether in quiet moments or shared adventures, he had a way of helping others feel that same sense of calm and perspective.

He also loved spending time playing games with family and friends and was famously known for winning more often than not—a detail that brought plenty of laughter and lighthearted competition to those moments.

Nick lived with a generous spirit and a joyful heart, bringing light into everyday moments and leaving a lasting impact on everyone he met. The love he gave so freely will continue to live on in the lives of those who knew him.

A celebration of Nick’s life will be held on Saturday, May 30th, at Cheesman Park in Denver, Colorado. Service details will be updated here as soon as they are confirmed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to support the Sands family during this difficult time at https://www.gofundme.com/f/supportingthesands, or to the REI Cooperative Action Fund, which supports organizations working to make the outdoors more accessible and inclusive across the country—like those that gave Nick the opportunity to experience adaptive skiing—and the Home Builders Foundation, which helped create a ramp at his home so he could more easily access the outdoors he loved.

In honoring Nick this way, you carry forward the spirit of a man who found peace, joy, and meaning in the world around him, and who wanted others to experience that same sense of wonder in their own way. Though he is no longer with us, his love lives on—in every shared laugh, every game played, every quiet moment outside. He will forever be felt in the sunlight, the fresh air, and the hearts of those who knew and loved him.