Norwich, VT – Nicholas “Nick” Eaton Heyl passed away early Thursday morning , March 19, 2026 surrounded by family, after a long illness.
He was born on December 25, 1946, in Hanover, New Hampshire, to Katharine Agate Heyl and Dr. Henry Livingston Heyl. He grew up on his family’s farm in Norwich, Vermont, where he enjoyed an idyllic childhood filled with outdoor adventures.
Alongside his younger brother, Michael, Nick spent his days playing sports, fishing, skiing, and exploring the land. Their father, despite being in a wheelchair, remained an active and inspiring presence in their lives, even playing catch with them from a golf cart.
Among Nick’s most cherished memories were riding his horse, Merrylegs, across the property, imagining himself a cowboy on the many trails. He also treasured his childhood summers in North Haven, Maine, where he developed a lifelong love of the coast and time spent by the water.
Nick reflected on his beginnings with a sense of humility and humor, noting that aside from being born on Christmas Day during a heavy snowstorm, there was little he considered extraordinary about his arrival-though his journey home from the hospital in a surplus army command car, purchased for navigating Vermont winters, became part of family lore.
Nick was a gifted musician whose love of music shaped the course of his life. He began his college studies at Boston University before transferring to Johnson State College in Vermont, where he graduated with a degree in music and a minor in political science. Though he once considered a career in law, music ultimately called him in a different direction.
Nick’s musical journey took off when he met the members of the New Kingston Trio while working in Boston’s nightclub scene. A fan of the group since high school, Nick was thrilled at the opportunity to join them as their road manager, and to have the opportunity to hone his skills on guitar and banjo, with Bob Shane as his mentor. Soon after, on their recommendation, he stepped into the spotlight as banjo and vocalist with the group Brandywine, touring throughout Hawaii and the South Pacific-an experience that marked the beginning of a lifelong passion for performance.
Nick went on to form the band “Rock Castle River Company” with Greg Austin who he considered his best friend and one of his most important relationships throughout his life. Together they performed throughout the United States. Known not only for his musicianship but also for his humor and stage presence, Nick brought a unique energy and warmth to the group. Whether on stage or off, he lived with curiosity, creativity, and a deep appreciation for the arts.
In 1980, Nick was married to Jane Watson. Together they produced records on the Xeres label for The Kingston Trio, John Stewart, and The Greg Austin Band. They also produced two beautiful daughters , Nancy Hemingway Heyl, in 1984, and Katharine Bacon Heyl, in 1987. Nick cherished his role as their father, considering them to be the brightest part of his life and he passed on to them his love of music and the arts.
After Nick became a father, he decided to revisit his love of political science and enrolled at Vermont Law School, graduating in 1988. He went on to practice family law in the Upper Valley for the better part of a decade and served as guardian-ad-litum for children whose parents were divorcing .
Following his law career, Nick became a teacher at Hanover High School regaling his students with impromptu concerts and stories of the 1960’s folk scene.
Nick faced struggles with addiction for much of his adult life, but he ultimately found lasting sobriety and a renewed sense of purpose. He became deeply committed to his AA practice, forming meaningful and lasting friendships within the recovery community, both locally and in Lexington, Kentucky. These relationships became a cornerstone of his life.
Nick will be remembered for his kindness and his dedication to his music. Over his lifetime, Nick wrote over 300 songs, often sharing them with his family and friends.
Nick is survived by his brother, Michael Heyl and his wife Barbara of Wilder, VT , their son Brett Heyl, his wife Kristina and their children Ashton and Emma of Denver, CO; his daughter Nancy Heyl, her husband James Sweat, and their daughter Magnolia Sweat of Thetford Center, Vermont, his daughter Katharine Heyl, her fiancé David Kenney, and her son Finn Marshall of Washington, D.C. He is also survived by his former wife Jane Stetson, her husband Bill, of Norwich, VT and their daughter Grace Stetson and her husband Kennedy Ukelegharanya of Boston, MA and Greg Austin and his wife, Stacy, of Lexington, Kentucky.
A memorial service for Nick will be held in the fall in Norwich, Vermont.
An on-line guestbook can be found at rand-wilson.com
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