Jeff Arnold Nicolai (Jefe, Chef Jeff, Officer Nicolai, Uncle Jeff) passed peacefully at 11:10 a.m. May 21st surrounded by friends and family, after bravely enduring an extended illness.

Born in Bellevue, WA on October 11, 1966, his early years were spent at the Hobart farmhouse before the Nicolais moved to Enumclaw, WA where Jeff ruled the big red barn.

Always the class clown, he graduated from Enumclaw High School in 1984.

Jeff was a Police Explorer and then headed to WSU to focus on hotel and restaurant management.

Before his college graduation, he was hired by King County and became a Sheriff’s deputy where he served for 26 years.

Jeff was knows for his love of Italian sportscars, rock music, nice shoes, animals, family and random acts of kindness that he often refused to admit to.

In July of 1999, Jeff married his true love, Steph, and transitioned overnight from confirmed bachelor to husband and father of three.

During the “wonder years” Jeff worked full time and also earned the title “Mr. Soccer Mom.”

He showed people he loved them through his gifts of food and was always outdoing himself.

No one was ever bored in the presence of Jeff. Always the prankster and impersonator, Jeff kept us all laughing. We are amazed by some of the pranks he got away with!

Jeff was preceded in death by him mother, Faye Nicolai.

He is survived by his wife Stephanie, children Carly Hilkin (son in law Logan), Caitlin Nichols and Nathan Nichols, father George Nicolai and siblings Pam Nicolai (brother in law Nick Guglielminetti), Scott Nicolai (sister in law Judi), and Dave Nicolai as well as Jeff’s three pugs, Winston Marcy and Nina, and countless family and friends.

Join us as we celebrate Jeff’s life with family and friends at 1 p.m. on June 25th at the Enumclaw Field House (Pete’s Pool).