Nicholas "Nick" Christopher Martin

Nicholas “Nick” Christopher Martin departed this life in the early morning hours of October 15, 2025. He was 43 years old. Nick was born in Oakland, CA to Christopher Martin of Rio Nido, CA and Shelley Herrero Martin of Calistoga, CA.

Nick grew up in San Leandro, CA and graduated from Moreau Catholic High School in 2000. He attended San Francisco State University and Chabot College, and received a degree in Sound Engineering from the California Recording Institute. Nick was a quick study and gifted with numbers, he worked for small businesses in bookkeeping and graphic design, and also had a freelance business in website and graphic design. However, Nick was most proud of his successful eBay store that he launched in 2011, where he described himself as "an honest and avid collector trying to bring joy to others with vintage toys and trading cards". He took pride in having 100% positive feedback for nearly 15 years. Nick cherished the time that he spent with his mom in Calistoga, he found peace and tranquility in the beauty of Napa Valley. He moved to Portland, OR in 2020 and counted himself lucky to have lived the "best years” of his life there.

Nick was an avid Oakland A’s fan, having grown up collecting baseball cards and game giveaways at the Oakland Coliseum - where he watched many games, and where his love of fireworks “sparked” - he launched a few pyrotechnic shows of his own. He was an avid fan of the Oakland Raiders and San Jose Sharks as well. Nick played CYO basketball at Assumption School and swam competitively for the San Leandro Drowning Darryls. He continued to swim in high school, where he also joined the football team his senior year, and dedicated to lifting weights twice a day. Nick loved music, but not what you'd hear on the radio, he was into punk rock, metal, and underground hip hop. He was a self-taught electric guitarist, and spent much of his teenage years playing in bands, skateboarding, working as a lifeguard, and teaching swimming lessons. Nick had a quick wit and loved comedy, especially South Park and stand-up comedians. His hobbies included collecting and re-selling vintage toys, sports memorabilia, and Garbage Pail Kids trading cards. Nick enjoyed reading, being a cat "dad", working out at the gym, playing video games, and cooking for others, especially Thai food.

Although our grief is profound, we hold close the memory of Nick as a sincere and sensitive soul who sought to share joy with others in this life. Like the footprints in the sand that disappear when the Lord carries us, we take comfort in knowing that Nick is relieved of his earthly burdens and is now held safely in his Father’s arms.

Nick is preceded in death by his grandparents, Lowell and Jessie Herrero, Frances and Robert Martin, his aunt Maggie, and his uncle Al. Nick is survived by his parents, sister Erin Herrero (Simon), and his nephews and niece: Charles, Miles, and Maisy. Nick is also survived by his loving aunts (Mary, Sheila, Carol, and Debbie), loving uncles (Tom, Paul, Dan, and Bob) and many cherished cousins (Mollie, Rebecca, Jon, Ellen, Renee, Blake, Jordan, Thomas, Andrea and Natalie).

A Visitation will be held at St. Helena Catholic Church on Friday, November 21, 2025 at 10am and a funeral Mass will follow at 11am. Interment at St. Helena Cemetery will follow the Mass. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a donation in memory of Nicholas Martin to Central City Concern in Portland, OR, where Nick thrived under the services they provide.

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