Nicolas Shane Faust

Nicolas Shane Faust, known to his family and friends as Nick was a native of Ellenville New York where he was born and raised. From a young age Nick was a gentle soul, that is to say he cared for people, had an affinity for all living things, and enjoyed the beauty found in nature. This passion would follow him for the rest of his life in the form of photography, hiking, camping, and full-time employment in the civilian world as a Certified Nursing Assistant. As a child, Nick participated in wrestling and football while in high school. In between his junior and senior year of high school Nick enlisted in the United States Army, New York Army National Guard with his best friend Joshua Osterhoudt as a 13E (Fire Direction Specialist) with the 1/156 Field Artillery. Nick attended basic training in the summer of 1998 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Military Occupational Specialty training the following year in 1999 upon high school graduation. As a young artilleryman Nick was responsible for tracking fire missions in support of unit training objectives and spent much of his time in the Tactical Operations Center (TOC) culminating in a Joint Readiness Training Center rotation with the 27^th Infantry Brigade in 2001. On February 24^th, 2003, Nick was involved in a serious car accident that unfortunately claimed the life of Joshua Osterhoudt; an event that he would carry with him for rest of his life. In 2006 the 27^th Infantry Brigade was reorganized into the 27^th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), as a result the 1/156 Field Artillery was disbanded and Nick attended reclassification training to become a 12B (Combat Engineer). In relation to injuries sustained in 2003, Nick was placed in the Inactive National Guard for a period of time to help facilitate the healing process. Nick overcame his injuries and diligently fought to re-enter the service in 2016 at which point he was assigned to the 1156^th Engineer Company. Nick served honorably in the Guard for the better part of twenty years; he was admired by subordinates, peers, and superiors alike and was affectionately known as one of the “OGs” by the younger Soldiers who looked up to him. Additional assignments in the Guard include a State Active Duty assignment guarding Indian Point, and training exercises in Trinidad and Romina. Nick was a good Soldier, a wonderful brother, a great son, and a loving uncle; he had a very diverse group of friends and was welcoming and open to all. Nick had an exceptional impact on those that knew him and he will be deeply missed by family, friends, and comrades alike. Nick is directly survived by his mother Feline F. Faust, dad Joesph Cottan, twin brother Richard S. Faust, sister Joline S. Faust her partner Dean Jr, sister Deborah S. Silon her partner Norman Sr, nephew Aydan Faust, nephew Jaydenn Ferraro, nephew Norman Silon Jr. Nick is also survived by uncle Thomas Maloy his partner Marlene, uncle Robert T. Maloy his partner Linda, aunt JoAnn Maloy her partner Ron, aunt Constance Faust, and half-sister Regina DuPont; in addition to many other nieces, nephews, and cousins. Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, May 14th from 5-7pm at Loucks Funeral Home, Ellenville. Graveside burial services with military honors will be Wednesday the 15th, 2pm at Fantinekill Cemetery, Ellenville.