A Life Well Lived
It is with broken hearts we announce that Nils died on April 7, 2019, surrounded by his family and friends. Nils is survived by his loving wife, Jean and sons, Nicholas (Helen) and Stewart. Nils died as he lived, with dignity, strength, humour and by making new connections with everyone around him until the end.
Nils was born in Denmark on July 26, 1949. His family emigrated to Canada in 1957, living in Montreal then Ottawa. Nils received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from the University of Ottawa, and then a law degree from Osgoode Hall, Toronto. He moved to Vancouver in 1975, where he met his Scottish lass, Jean. In Vancouver and later Nelson, Nils worked as a Crown Prosecutor before he and Jean moved to London, England where Nils received a Master of Law degree from the London School of Economics. Upon returning to Canada, Nils taught law at Carleton University in Ottawa and then worked again as a Crown Prosecutor and defence lawyer throughout the Ottawa Valley. Their two sons were born in Ottawa.
In 1995 Nils, Jean, Nicholas, and Stewart moved to Oak Bay, where he would live for the rest of his life. In Victoria, Nils continued to practice as a Crown Prosecutor and to teach law part-time at UVic. In 1996, Nils was elected as a councillor to Oak Bay Municipal Council. He served 15 years as a Councillor before becoming the Mayor of Oak Bay in 2011, a position he held with great pride until 2018. Nils also served the broader community by acting as the Chair of the CRD, and as Chair of the Water Board for 12 years, during which time he helped preserve water security for the region.
Nils will be remembered as a “people person” who truly cared about those around him. He was a consummate volunteer as a coach for his children’s scouting and sporting activities, and for community events throughout the region. Nils was also a community leader who dedicated his time to improving the world around him.
A heartfelt thank you to the doctors and nursing staff at the BC Cancer Agency and the Royal Jubilee Hospital for their gentle care, especially Drs. Vergidis, Brown, and Maskey, and to Dr. Paton of the Eye Care Centre, Vancouver.
A memorial service for Nils will be held at the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre, 2121 Cadboro Bay Road at 2 PM on Thursday, April 11, 2019. Instead of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Mayors’ Art Legacy Fund. Donations can be sent to Oak Bay Municipal Hall, 2167 Oak Bay Avenue, contact Warren Jones (250-598-3311) or visit www.oakbay.ca for additional details.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
Bob Publicover
April 8, 2019
I attended high school with Nils 50 years ago in Ottawa. Although we weren’t close friends, we were in many classes together and I had a chance to take measure of his many fine qualities.
Nils was exceptionally intelligent – having learned to speak fluent English without a trace of an accent in only a couple of years. He was a top student. Although Nils was one of the smallest players on our high school’s basketball team, opposing players soon learned that he was a fierce competitor and not be taken for granted in physical confrontations. He had a wicked sense of humour.
Nils’ family have my deep sympathy on the loss of an exceptional husband and father, who contributed much to the communities in which he lived.
Bob Publicover, Waterloo Ontario
David Simpson
April 8, 2019
Nils played for us on some great Hillcrest Hawks basketball teams here in Ottawa in the 60’s.
When he returned to Ottawa to teach law we had some spirited games of squash in the Carleton Ravens nest.
The lure of elected office was always there as he was talking and running for office early on.
He embodied what was best in an elected official which was to serve honourably and practically while upholding fundamental
principals of fairness and justice.
Qualities that todays cut and thrust make difficult.Nils was always there and although we had lost touch in recent years I knew from friends that those core Canadian values were always there.
He will be missed on all Courts. Farewell to a great Canadian!
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Nils Jensen July 26 1949 – April 7 2019..
mccall gardens funeral and cremation service
Décès pour la Ville: Victoria, Province: Colombie britanique