It’s hard to put into words what Nick Shacklock meant to me. He wasn’t just my best friend from university — he was like a brother to me at the time. From the moment we met, there was an instant connection: shared humour, shared curiosity, and a shared sense that we were figuring life out together. We were housemates during those wild, formative years, and I count myself lucky every day that I got to go through them with him by my side.
Living with Nick meant laughter, long nights out on the town, and a sense that no matter what else was going on, you weren’t alone. He had this rare combination of sharp wit, deep empathy, and a beautiful, restless mind. After uni, we spent a summer working in France — a time that lives in my memory as carefree, chaotic, and golden.
But alongside all that brilliance, Nick carried his own struggles. He was a troubled soul in many ways, navigating the world with more weight on his shoulders than he ever let on. And yet, even in his hardest times, he still gave so much to the people around him — compassion, laughter, honesty, and heart.
Nick was complex, courageous, and deeply human. His presence changed lives, and his absence leaves a silence that’s hard to describe. I will miss terribly. RIP Nick
Gareth Williams
31/03/2025
