Niculae Docea

Niculae “Nick” Docea

March 27, 1940 – November 4, 2025

With grateful hearts for a life well-lived, we announce the passing of Niculae “Nick” Docea on November 4, 2025, in Burlington, Wisconsin, at the age of 85. He was born in Bucharest, Romania on March 27, 1940 — in the shadow of war, yet he grew to become a man of action, song, strength, and steady faith.

Nick was the devoted husband of the late Georgeta Docea, with whom he shared a remarkable journey of love, resilience, and mission. Together, they defied the pressures of a totalitarian regime, raising their family with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and courage in the face of persecution. In December 1984, Nick, along with Georgeta and their two children, bravely immigrated to the United States, fleeing religious oppression and economic devastation in the Socialist Republic of Romania, with the hope of giving their children a better life. He planted new roots in the Chicago area, where he worked diligently to provide for his family, became a U.S. citizen, and continued to live out his faith in community.

A tool and die maker by trade and a prodigious tool collector by passion, Nick was never happier than when he had something to fix — which was fortunate, because he truly could fix anything. Whether tuning a car, building a tent from scratch for family vacations, or resurrecting some ancient appliance, Nick always found a way to make it work. He worked with his hands, but also with his heart — whistling hymns while he labored, often humming the tunes he once conducted as choir director at Biserica Baptista Betania in Bucharest.

Despite growing up amid war and enduring decades under oppression, Nick loved the beauty of God’s creation. He sang loudly, hiked the Carpathian Mountains often, and savored a good meal. A self-taught musician, he eventually studied piano and organ under Brother Titi Adorian of the Bucharest Philharmonic. In church and in life, he led with melody, memory, and meaning.

A faithful member of the Romanian Baptist Church in Chicago for many years, he was active in men’s ministry and known for his quiet, steady presence, levelheaded wisdom, and boundless supply of stories. In the last four years, he attended Calvary Community Church in Williams Bay, Wisconsin, with Daniela’s family where he was blessed by the fellowship and continued to grow in his walk with the Lord. He delighted in being a grandfather, initiating legendary pillow fights and slipping into storytelling mode at the slightest hint of an audience.

As we remember Nick’s long journey from the mountains of Romania to the heart of America, we’re reminded of the words from Psalm 121, a passage that echoes the path he walked with trust and quiet strength:

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth…

The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

(Psalm 121:1–2, 8)

Nick lived through hard times, but he never became a hard-hearted man. Instead, he chose to learn love, to transform bitterness into laughter, and to meet every hardship with faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His life was a testament to resilience shaped by a desire to serve — a journey marked by deep devotion to God, his family, and the people God put in his path.

He is lovingly remembered by his children: Daniela (Michael) Folker and Florin (Jennie) Docea; his beloved grandchildren: Christopher, Josh, Alex, Rebekah, and Leah — all of whom carry pieces of his love, legacy, and yes, his legendary storytelling; and his nieces and nephews. He will be profoundly missed and joyfully remembered.

Memorial visitation will be held from 11:00AM until the time of service at 12:30PM Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Calvary Community Church N 2620 Harris Rd. Lake Geneva, WI 53147. The service will be conducted by his son, Pastor Florin Docea, Senior Pastor at Agape Community Church in Pewaukee, WI. For additional information, please call (262)-248-2320.

Lazarczyk Family Funeral Homes of Lake Geneva and Delavan are proudly serving the family.