Wilfred Lloyd Nicholson
1944-2021
Nicholson,
« Wilfred » Lloyd
The death occurred at
Riverview Manor in Montague, PEI on May 22, 2021 of Wilfred Nicholson,
beloved husband and best friend of Carol Nicholson (nee Morrison),
loving father of Melanie, Ottawa, ON and Ashley (Angie), Maple Ridge,
BC and doting grandfather of Raelynn and Alexander Nicholson, Maple
Ridge, BC. He is survived by his brother Donald (Ethel),
Montague, PEI, much loved sister-in-law Miriam Nicholson, Montague,
PEI, sister-in-law Evelyn Day, Summerside, PEI and brother-in-law,
Clinton (Pearl) Morrison, St. Eleanors, PEI, and by several nephews,
nieces and their families, in particular his nephew David Nicholson,
who he nicknamed Hank, and his niece, Joyce Campbell, both of whom
supported him greatly at the end of his life’s
journey. He will be greatly missed by his best friend and
fishing buddy, Rev. Ron Vincent of Quispamsis, NB. He was
predeceased by his dear parents, Ray and Sadie Nicholson, of Montague,
PEI and formerly of Upper Montague, PEI, by his in-laws, Clint and
Ruth Morrison of Summerside, PEI and formerly of Conway, PEI, his
brothers and sisters-in law, John Nicholson, Bruce (Velma) Nicholson,
Alexander Hugh Nicholson (stillborn) and Elva Nicholson,
Carol’s brother-in-law, Bill Day, and John Hayes, his
friend, fishing and canoeing companion, and longtime
mentor.
Wilfred was born at the old
Kings County Memorial Hospital on Main Street (formerly the Royal
Hotel but now known as the Hyndman Building) on August 7,
1944. He was named after his mother’s younger
brother, Wilfred MacDonald, who won several Purple Hearts during World
War II as a member of the First Special Service Force, also known as
the Black Devils. Wilfred attended the one room school in
Upper Montague and Montague Regional High School. In 1967,
he graduated from the Provincial Vocational Institute, Charlottetown,
PEI with a diploma in Electrical (Construction Wiring) and, in 1974,
graduated from Holland College with a certificate in Retail
Merchandising. On November 7, 1970, he married Carol
Morrison at Conway United Church, Conway, PEI. The first
winter they were married, they lived in Uigg, PEI and moved to
Montague the next spring where they lived the remainder of their
lives.
Wilfred worked in the retail
sector, particularly in building supplies, for over fifty years. He
was, with his wife, Carol, co-owner of Montague Building Supplies Ltd.
and Montague Frame Shop and Gallery. He served on the Board
of Directors of ABSDA (Atlantic Building Supply Dealers Association)
from 1991-97 and was chair of the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee,
Education Committee and the Summer Meeting Event Committee.
He also served on the Board of Directors of AWARD (Atlantic Wholesale
and Retail Distributors) from 1993-95. Wilfred was an active member of
his community, serving as a councillor for the Town of Montague, Chair
of the Montague & Area Economic Development Committee, Chair
of the Montague Watershed Enhancement Cooperative and Chair of the
Kings County Memorial Hospital Foundation. He was also a
charter member of the Montague & Area Chamber of Commerce and
served as a Director from 1980-1990.
For
several years, Wilfred was involved in the Junior Achievement Program
in Montague and served on the provincial Board of Directors.
He was also a member of Boy Scouts of Canada, serving as a Cub leader
and a camp leader. He was a member of Hillcrest United
Church, serving as Clerk of the Session and as secretary of Hillcrest
Men’s Club. He was also an avid supporter of the
PEI Chapter of the Canadian Cancer Society as a canvasser and as
manager of the annual daffodil Campaign in Montague for almost two
decades. From 1960 to 1962, he served in the Canadian Army
Militia (Prince Edward Island Regiment) as a trooper in Montague
« B » Squadron.
In 2012, Wilfred received the
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for service to his
community. A lover of all things Scottish, he studied Gaelic
for many years and was a founding member and secretary of the PEI
Gaelic Society. In 1999, he visited Scotland and spent
several days in the Isle of Skye, the home of his great great
grandparents, James Nicholson and Mary Buchanan, who emigrated from
Bernisdale, Skye to Brown’s Creek, PEI in 1841.
For the last several decades, he was a member of the Clan MacNicol
Society of North America and served as PEI Games Commissioner for a
number of years.
Wilfred enjoyed fishing,
practicing catch-and-release in later years, fly tying, photography
and making cedar strip canoes. Most of all, he enjoyed
socializing with his large extended family who will remember his quick
wit and ready laugh. He was a kind and gentle man who gave
generously to his family, his friends and his community.
Wilfred dealt with many health
issues and personal losses during his lifetime. He was a two
time survivor of bowel cancer and in the last years of his life
battled skin cancer as well as Parkinson’s disease and
atherosclerosis. As a young man, he was deeply affected by
his father’s ill health and the subsequent loss of their
century family farm. In 1978, tragedy struck again when his
two older brothers, John and Bruce, drowned in a boating
incident. These events contributed to his intense love for
home and family. Through it all, he never lost the desire to
brighten someone’s day with a laugh and was always more
concerned about his caregivers than about himself.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Ferguson-Logan
Funeral Home. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be no
visiting hours at this time. A funeral and celebration of
life will be held at a later date and his cremains will be buried in
the family plot in the Valleyfield Cemetery. Online condolences and
donations to the PEI Chapter of the Canadian Cancer Society are
gratefully appreciated.
Finally free from pain and
despair
www.fergusonlogan.com
19442021
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Wilfred Lloyd Nicholson 19442021..
ferguson-logan Montague funeral home
Décès pour la Ville: Montague, Province: I-P-E