Priest River mourns Nick Lamanna

PRIEST RIVER — Lifelong Priest River resident Nicholas M. Lamanna Sr., regarded as one of Idaho’s most respected lawyers, passed away on Thursday, May 6, after a courageous battle with cancer.  He was 69.

Public servant exemplified, Lamanna worked diligently over a 35-year career as owner and partner of the Cooke & Lamanna Law Firm where he would earn numerous accolades and set precedents in the cases he argued at the local, state and federal level.

The eldest of seven children, Nick was born in 1941 to Mike and Ann Lamanna in Priest River, where he graduated high school before earning a bachelor’s with honors from Gonzaga University in 1963.  He would continue post-graduate degrees  and certificates while teaching for six years in the Priest River school system.

Nick started his career following in his father’s footsteps, the namesake behind Priest River Lamanna High School.  With construction completed in 1981 the new high school would be named to honor Mike Lamanna for his years of service in positions including teacher, principal and superintendent.

Nick Lamanna married Kathleen Bryant in 1964.  They had four children during their 25 years of marriage.

Lamanna first began his legal career after running for State Representative for the 1st Legislative District of Idaho.  A race he would lose by just 33 votes.

His unrelenting motivation would lead to his graduation with honors from Gonzaga Law in 1973 while a love for his birthplace would bring him back to Priest River.  The same year he would begin his work with the Cooke & Lamanna Law Firm and remain a leader within the community until his retirement in April 2008.

During his career Lammana was a member or numerous organizations and received a laundry list of accolades including:  first Public Defender for Bonner County, President of the 1st District Bar Association from 1977-78, Idaho State Bar District Lawyer Award in 1977, Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers in 1997, rated an ‘A’ lawyer by the national attorney rating firm while also being listed as one of the best lawyers in the country.

And as a leader in the Priest River community he would become a member of the Knights of Columbus, contribute several hours of service to the West Pend Oreille Fire District, Priest River Airport and many other groups.

Over his 35 years of service Lamanna was regarded as a “saint in the legal community,” and the personification of what it meant to be a servant not just to the public but his hometown.  A community that would came together during his retirement to recognize Nick for his unrelenting commitment and will continue to do so in his wake.

A funeral ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 15 at Priest River Lamanna High School.  Burial service at the Priest River Evergreen Cemetery while follow immediately after the ceremony.