A man once dubbed the city's most honest cabbie earned another deserved honor on Thursday: his nursing degree.

Sadly, Nestor Sulpico wasn't there to accept the sheepskin: He died of colon cancer a month ago at age 51.

In July 2004, the Daily News wrote that "he's gotta be New York's most honest taxi driver" after he opened a blue backpack left in his cab and found $70,000 worth of rare South Pacific black pearls.

He became the toast of the town and page one news when he returned the precious jewels. Soon after, he was awarded a scholarship to nursing school to fulfill his dream.

Last December, Sulpico quietly dropped out of the nursing program at the Phillips Beth Israel School of Nursing and returned to his family in the Philippines to die, losing his brave fight against colon cancer.

The loss devastated the school. Classmates stood in ovation yesterday when fellow student Luanne Know, 32, announced a scholarship fund in his honor.

"There was a sweetness about him that you would like to have in a person and in a nurse," said Dean Janet Mackin. "He brought an incredible spirit, joy and tight friendships to the school."

The diploma will be presented to his family in the Philippines, said Cecilia Rebong, the country's consul general who accepted the degree on their behalf.

"It is so very heartfelt that you have not forgotten him," she said. "This helps Nestor fulfill his dream."

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2008/06/06/2008-06-06_hero_cabbie_gets_posthumous_degree-2.html