MARBLEHEAD — The Warwick Theater was filled with warmth, applause, and laughter on Saturday morning as the Marblehead community gathered to celebrate and say farewell to Nikolay Kuzmina, a man many describe as the embodiment of kindness and joy.
Friends, neighbors, coworkers, and Town leaders arrived in staggered waves throughout the morning, greeting Kuzmina with hugs, handshakes, and smiles. The calm, carefully paced gathering allowed attendees time to speak personally with him — a detail Dave Aldrich, the organizer, said was essential to keeping the event meaningful and manageable.
“I feel very proud. I feel very happy,” Kuzmina said as he looked around the packed theater. “It’s a very nice town — a very tight-knit community. People are very caring and compassionate. My heart will always be here.”
He added that one of the things he will miss most about Marblehead is attending the football games.
“I wish the Town of Marblehead the best of luck with sports, everything. I’m going to miss going to the football games, and when we play Swampscott, our rival. I’ll just miss the football atmosphere. I will miss screaming ‘Go Marblehead,’” Kuzmina said.
Aldrich emphasized that the morning was designed to reflect Kuzmina himself: warm, personal, and unhurried. Aldrich has known Kuzmina for nearly two decades and said the community response was a reflection of the way Kuzmina has lived his life.
“I just want to say that this was not something hard to do. I’ve known Nikolay for over 20 years at Stop & Shop, and when I first started going, I just couldn’t believe it. And then, as our friendship grew over the 20 years, I would purposely go and stand in his cashier line so I could be greeted by him as I was checking out, and I didn’t care how long the line was because every minute with him was special,” Aldrich shared. “This is really what Marblehead is all about: bringing people together. This is just so special, the unity shown here today. Nikolay really does bring out the best in people.”
Kuzmina’s sister, Olga Golinder, said, “He really is an angel. This is how I remember Marblehead — everyone showing up and supporting one another. It shows Nikolay’s character and the light that he brings into everybody’s life.”
Kuzmina is preparing to move to Florida, where Golinder has stepped into the role of his full-time caregiver following the sudden death of their mother, Yelena Kuzmina, in January. While the transition marks a significant change, Golinder said the move offers her brother a chance to begin a new chapter.
“He’s adapting really well,” she said. “He likes the palm trees, the warmth, and he’s already meeting people. It’s good for him to have a fresh start — as amazing as this community is, there are also a lot of reminders here.”
She added, “This is how I knew Marblehead. I grew up here, too, so this is how I knew Marblehead, and just everyone showing up and providing the support, and Dave has been such a big part of it. It’s amazing.”
Her husband, Michael, said that “even on her worst day, she is amazing.”
He added, “She is very resilient, and she instilled a lot of those values in Nikolay.”
Throughout the morning, speakers shared memories that highlighted Kuzmina’s infectious positivity. Aldrich read notes from representatives from Stop & Shop, where he worked for years as a front-end bagger, and read letters praising his work ethic and spirit.
Andrew Ziner, who Kuzmina worked for at Stop & Shop for the 10 years Ziner managed the store in Swampscott, said, “What a great person. Always happy and full of energy. Loved his customers. He was great with his fellow associates. I loved seeing him walk through the front door. I wish him the very best of luck. The world needs more (people) with Nikolay’s attitude.”
Town officials also recognized Kuzmina’s impact. A proclamation from the Select Board, read by member Jim Zisson, honored his “infectious positivity, warm spirit, and unmistakable presence,” noting that his dedication to fitness, community, and daily connection made Marblehead a brighter place.
“Nico has brought smiles and laughter to countless residents and helped make Marblehead a brighter, more welcoming place for all,” the proclamation read.
The proclamation continued, “While we wish him well in the warmer weather, he will always remain a cherished part of the Marblehead community.”
Zisson added that the proclamation, in a way, was written by Kuzmina himself because: “What we say here is really what he’s demonstrated in his life.”
Kuzmina, visibly moved, thanked the crowd repeatedly throughout the event.
“I love each and every one of you,” he said.
Police Chief Dennis King said, “On behalf of the police department, we’ve always appreciated Nikolay’s positive attitude and free spirit and his energy. We’re gonna miss that.”
Between remarks, guests signed a memory book, shared coffee and bagels, and paused to look through photographs from Kuzmina’s life — including prom pictures, brought by Rick Ashley, and snapshots from community events over the years.
Mary Cuffe, Kuzmina’s girlfriend, said he is “the best boyfriend in the world.” She added that she is looking forward to FaceTiming him while he is in Florida.
Her mother, Lisa Cuffe, said Kuzmina “always knows how to brighten your day, and we are going to miss him.”
As the final group filtered through the theater, Kuzmina continued greeting people by name, repeating each one aloud — a habit friends say helps him remember and makes everyone feel seen.
Johnny Ray, owner of The Warwick Theater, said, “It’s nice to have a place like this where we can do things like this. (It’s a) great use for the theater. I believe we share ownership of the theater with the community… I’m happy we can support Nikolay in moving to his next chapter.”
Though his next chapter will unfold under Florida sunshine, those gathered agreed his presence will linger in Marblehead — in grocery store aisles, on town sidewalks, and in the countless moments where kindness once appeared, smiling back.
