Tributes flow after death of Nicota Rolloque ‘Nico’ Fish

The school principal of a 17-year-old boy who died three days after his birthday has tried to make sense of the tragedy, as the cycling club he was an active member of cancels all races.

The Bundaberg Catholic and cycling community is trying to come to terms with the shock death of beloved Shalom College student Nicota Rolloque ‘Nico’ Fish.

The Bundaberg Catholic and cycling community is trying to come to terms with the shock death of beloved Shalom College student Nicota Rolloque ‘Nico’ Fish, who will be buried this Friday, September 18.

Nico died three days after his 17th birthday, on the evening of Thursday, September 5, and leaves behind his devastated family, mum and dad Nerissa and Warren Fish, and little brother Rowel.

Shalom College principal Dan McMahon communicated to the entire school community as it grappled with the tragedy.

“On Saturday afternoon, I sat with the parents of Nicota who were struggling to come to terms with the tragic loss of their son,” he said.

“The only scripture that came to my mind was the shortest verse in the Gospels which is in John’s Gospel 11:35 – “Jesus Wept”.

The Bundaberg Catholic and cycling community is trying to come to terms with the shock death of beloved Shalom College student Nicota Rolloque Nico Fish. Photo courtesy of the Bundaberg Cycling Club Facebook page.

“That family is facing inconsolable grief coming to terms with Nicota’s very untimely death and that won’t change for a long time.

“Sitting with those good but suffering people on Saturday, I felt helpless. Given that I have been in that situation too many times before, I knew that nothing I was going to say or do was going to ease their pain. But, I hope, being there, was something. Each of us has to work out how to deal with suffering.

“My younger brother, Tim, not long before he died, gave me a book to read entitled, “When Bad Things Happen to Good People”.

“Interestingly, it wasn’t entitled, ‘Why do Bad Things Happen to Good People’ but ‘When…’ It’s a great little book.

“One of the lines that caught my attention was some wisdom shared by its Jewish author, Harold Kushner, when he quoted Rabbi Mendel who once said, “Human beings are God’s language”.

“That is, when we cry out to God in our anguish, God responds by sending people.

“Doctors and nurses and paramedics who work tirelessly to make us whole. Friends sit with us and share a coffee, hold our hand without speaking and without trying to explain away our pain or diminish it be telling us that other people have it worse. Strangers perform random acts of kindness.

“As we all pray for Nicota’s family, let’s pray that they will feel surrounded by love, friends, family and strangers who will just be able to sit and, when they are able, help them to take the next faltering step forward.

Warren, Rowel, Nicota and Nerissa Fish before the junior warm up laps in 2020.

“Personally, I refuse to believe in a God, as I once may have, who would send any of us suffering to try us or punish us. Suffering is a part of the human condition and God promises only to walk with us and hopefully, encourage others to reach out when we are in need. May that God embrace Nerissa, Warren, Rowel and their wider family.

“Nicota came to Shalom in Year 7 and it was a big change for him.

“It took him quite a while to settle into Shalom and he certainly had his ups and downs in his early days.

“But he did settle. On Saturday, Mr Crowley, Nicota’s PC teacher in Hogan 1, shared with his parents that Nicota played a really positive and significant part in the life of their PC.

“He made others laugh. Nerissa also told me that at one point when Nicota was in Year 9, he came to her and thanked her so much for sending him to Shalom and making him get through those early days. He loved being at Shalom.

“I know every parent in our community and beyond will feel the pain that Nicota’s parents, Warren and Nerissa feel.

“Losing a child is the worst nightmare of any parent.

“The lives of our children are precious and they are vulnerable.

“Young men, the data would tell us, are more likely not to reach out to someone else when they are feeling low. Bloody male masculinity!

“We do so much more now with our young men and our young women to support, prod, encourage and cajole them to believe that it is perfectly OK not to feel OK all the time.

“Sometimes, every one of us needs to be brave enough to ask for help. ‘Are you OK?’ is so much more than a slogan. And, added to that, we all need to have the courage to answer that question with a ‘No, I’m not’. I know, like me, every parent in the Shalom community will hug their kids a little tighter tonight and try and remind each of them that nothing that they will do or think, ever, is too much to share.”

A photo of Nico on the podium posted by the Bundaberg Cycling Club.

The Bundaberg Cycling Club posted a tribute to Nico, one of its youngest members.

“We are saddened to inform the Bundaberg Cycling Community and the entire AusCycling QLD community of the passing of one of our younger members,” it said.

“Nicota Fish - 17 years of age, son of Warren and Nerissa Fish and brother of Rowel.

“At this time we ask all to respect the privacy of the Fish family during this incredibly difficult time.

“The Fish family often referred to the Bundaberg Cycling Club as their second family and we in turn considered Nikota as an integral and loved member of our cycling family.

“As a club we have decided to not race this (last) week to allow us all the opportunity to absorb our loss.

“This (last) Thursday in lieu of racing we are encouraging Bundaberg Cycling Club and Coral Isles Cycling Club members to come together for a BBQ and take the time to get around one another, to talk and to support each other in a time where many of us are struggling to come to terms with the loss of one of the most beautiful people in our cycling community.”

Multiple posts of love and grief have been made, including from Trixie James, who posted:

“This is such sad news as he was such a beautiful natured young man. Condolences to the family and to the club as there will be a time of grieving for everyone. Praying for you all!!

Greg McMahon posted to Facebook: “Rest in peace Nico, such a tragic loss for your family and for our Shalom College family.”

Relatives and friend of Nico and his family are respectfully invited to attend his funeral service to be held at Holy Rosary Catholic Church on Friday, September 20, with a requiem mass from 2pm.