OCEAN CITY — Nicholas Ryan Townsend, age 23, died unexpectedly on March 17. Born in Chester, Pa., he was the son of Norman Townsend and Cheryl A. Van der Slice. Townsend had worked as a line cook for Terra in Philadelphia. 

Along with his parents he is survived by his grandmother, Beverly Parsons; his step-father, Chris Van der Slice; two brothers, Christopher A. Townsend and his wife Ayn and Tony J. Townsend; a sister, Brittaney Bree and her husband James; two nieces, Minah and Arcadia; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of friends.