Family, friends and colleagues were forced to say an emotional goodbye last Thursday after Mr Pieper was tragically killed in a car accident on Lockhart Road on February 6. 

Mr Pieper’s family said they will hold onto Mr Pieper’s “cheeky smile”, which will be greatly missed. 

Father Stephen Pieper, along with his family, remembered Mr Pieper’s caring nature and left him with a heartfelt message. 

“You tried so hard, you told so few, we will never know what you went through,” Stephen said. 

“You never failed to do your best, your heart was true and tender.

“You simply lived for those you loved and those you loved remembered.”

Mr Pieper moved to Wagga with his family when he was just 10 months old and was fondly known as “Nic” or “Nicky boy”. 

“If he was called Nicholas, he always knew he was in trouble,” Stephen said. 

“His zest for life was truly amazing – he will be missed.” 

The family said Mr Pieper’s ideas for the future were ever changing, with serious consideration to becoming a chef or a hairdresser. 

He experimented with crazy hair colour changes and tried his hand as a chef in trials at Truck Art and My Chef Cuisine. 

He called Wagga home until 2013, when he made the move to Tasmania with his dad for nine months. 

Mr Pieper found work at Donut King and explored Tasmania. 

A visit home to celebrate his 18^th birthday saw Mr Pieper permanently relocate back home to Wagga.

It was at home that he finally found his calling and threw himself into a career in aged care. 

He worked hard at his passion, taking a position as a cook at an aged care facility alongside his studies. 

After finishing his course, Mr Pieper started a position as a support worker in Wagga. 

His passion for helping people extended beyond the walls of his job – giving blood on a regular basis. Mr Pieper’s family encouraged the community to reach out to those needing support. 

“Nic always had his family support in every way but as a community if you see someone who may be struggling, please ask “R U OK,” Stephen said.