RODNEY BARCLAY NUTTALL

Condolences & Memories (7 entries)

• Dear Marianne I was just informed of Rodney’s passing and I still sit here in shock ! I remember Rod and yourself in the early eighties assuring us that we could follow Aries to the anchorage on the first boat I ever owned at Northern Harbour . I was so scared , full of fear of getting lost in the Lake of the Woods Maze of islands. I was so fearful of hitting a rock. But Rod always told us to just folllow close behind UNtill I learned on my own. So many wonderful memories of you both and Rods love of the sport that helped so many at Northern Harbour . You could not miss that laugh that carried through the Marina him and Mark S always up to something. I’ll never forget the first night sail he invited me too go on on Manitee Rick Langelles brand new Mirage 25 . But the most important event in my life was following in both your footsteps and picking up and moving to TORTOLA in the British Virgin Islands. Rod was absolutely my mentor and inspiration to make my dream come true. He said just do it Rick you will figure it out and if it wasn’t for Rodney I wouldn’t have ever lived that dream of becoming a Charter Captain in the Caribbean. Meeting my wonderful wife of 16 years from the island of Dominica . Rod is solely responsible for that ten year adventure and best times of my life. I’m thinking of going back to Northern Harbour for the 2024 season and as I look down C Dock I will forever remember that helpful , inspiring, unique guy Rodney. It just won’t be the same. You were always such a great inspiration to the sport of sailing and myself. I will pray for you during this difficult time. Sincerely Rick Hannah - Posted by: Rick Hannah (For Ever Grateful Student Sailor of Rodney) on: Oct 10, 2023

• Marianne, I was very saddened to hear of Rodney`s passing. I will remember his great(dry) sense of humor and his patience with everything. He introduced me to sailing at a very early age (West Hawk) where I`m sure the patience kicked in. Over the years life takes away the time to see people more often, but I always enjoyed seeing you guys whenever and wherever that may have been . My condolences to you and the Nuttall family. Take care. Greg Smith - Posted by: greg smith (friend) on: Sep 12, 2023

• Marianne, I was deeply sorry to hear of Rodney’s passing. He was always such a nice guy and the two of you made a truly wonderful couple. I hope your memories will make you strong because you both had such a great life together. All the travel you did was so unique and cool. You lived life to the fullest and I am so happy you had such special times. I hope you are cheered by the people around you, as they share their memories and tales of how Rodney enhanced their lives. He touched many with his kindness, sense of humour and extensive knowledge of sailing and travel. Sending you love and hugs as you navigate this difficult time. I was sorry to not be able to attend Rodney’s funeral. Take care and be well. With love, Lisa - Posted by: Lisa Shore (Sister-in-Law (ex)) on: Sep 07, 2023

• Rod, you were so welcoming when we first arrived at Reddens. It was entertaining listening to your travel stories and you were a great campfire companion. The Beals - Posted by: Sharon and Stewart Beal (Friends) on: Sep 02, 2023

• Marianne, Vera and I were very sad to hear of Rodney’s passing. He had a huge positive impact on us when we were starting sailing, and you both could always be depended upon for help and advice over the years. We wish you the best… Vera and Dave - Posted by: Dave Christianson (Friend and fellow sailor) on: Sep 02, 2023

• Arriving at Northern Harbour in 1983, Rod and Marianne were already well recognized stalwarts of the sailing community, known to all, well meaning and welcoming in nature!! Reading of Rod's life brings back so many memories of our many unforgettable, entertaining, interactions through the years. Rod , always one of the higher profile central Dynamic personalities at Northern ,will be very much missed! All the best Marianne as you go forward ! - Posted by: Adele and Milt Mason (Friends ) on: Aug 29, 2023

• If I had to describe Rodney in a single word, that word might be “determined”. He showed that quality at birth when he’d later describe himself as “ten minutes younger”, than his twin brother, Bob. Rod was determined to have the advantage of staying in the “oven” ten minutes longer to achieve perfection. Mission accomplished he’d insist! As a baby, he developed a competitive edge as he raced his crib from bedroom to the edge of the stairwell by jiggling and nudging it through the door of our shared second story bedroom. Of course, there were frequent traffic jams with twin, Bob, in his matching crib, but inevitably, the first one through the door always got to the edge of the stairwell first and was clearly the winner. Our poor parents! That was probably early practice for the start line in many sailboat races he participated in; “Barging, who, me!” We once lived in a bungalow on Riverside Drive in Ft Gary. It really was a riverside bungalow right next to the alluring Red River. For our preschool safety, mom would put us in leather harnesses and tether us to her backyard clothes line. It didn’t take long for us to figure out how to free each other. But mom was determined, too. She advanced and ensured our safety from leather by employing chains and padlocks on our harnesses. This worked well until one morning a gentleman from Child Protective Services showed up; apparently our mailman reported her as he considered this confinement as cruel and unusual punishment. Mom introduced the CPS officer to her twin Hellions and then showed him the dangers lurking riverside. “Well done, Mrs. Nuttall”, he said, “I see your need for extra safety measures”. With his congratulations, that was that. The chains and padlocks were permanent whenever we were outside. Rodney wasn’t a fan of peas. He’d clear his plate except for those loathsome, vile smelling, mushy organisms (according to him). But dad wouldn’t have it. He’d sit with Rod at the table absorbed in his daily Tribune long after the table was cleared. It took forever, but pea by pea, they disappeared and dad left the table triumphant. Soon after mom would pick up his plate from the table only to find a circle of peas where his plate had been, but out of sight if dad’s not so watchful eye. Mom never gave up Rod’s pea avoiding secret! Friday nights were special in our later teenage years. We’d rush to our family camp on Deception Bay, (Clearwater Bay), to get as much of a head start to the weekend as possible. Our extend family brothers, Mike and Ken, were ever present. Rod and Michael would rig Rod’s Olympic Tempest sailboat. Ken and I rigged my Tornado catamaran. We’d race across the Bay countless times, as Ken and I in the much faster boat would shake our beer and spray Rod and Mike. What fun that was. Rod would go on to keel boats and sold his Tempest to Jack Taylor of the Mt Agassis Ski Area. Sailboats were getting wider and longer, many of them so wide that they needed twin helm wheels. At dinner with our parents Rod once proudly announced that someday, we m, too, would have one of those twin helm boats but that my wheel would not be connected! Rod had an affinity for sailing and keelboats. Marianne was now a significant part of Rod’s life. They became husband and wife and proud owners of many keel boats. Their pride and joy was Aries, a sturdy and well appointed Mirage 30. Northern Harbour became their second home and their many friends became their family. Rod’s tenacity, electrical and mechanical skills were freely shared with these friends. These skills also enabled him to install Espar diesel heaters in their boats. In fact there are very few of their many friends at Northern that don’t have this season extending creature comfort. Rod executed many perfect installations. We never saw them for a Thanksgiving dinner again. With each passing year, there’d be a growing fleet of Rod’s friends comfy and cozy and enjoying the dry Espar heat somewhere out on the Lake while taking in an “all the trimmings turkey dinner!” I’m not sure how many LOWISA Regattas Rod participated in but there were many. And I think Rod and Marianne took possession of Aries at the same time that mom and dad got Fantastic, an Express 30. There we were at mom and dad’s Deception Bay camp getting ready for another LOWISA Regatta. Whose boat was faster was of course what the conversation was all about. Rod and Marianne’s Aries was provisioned and ready as was Fantastic with my mom, dad, Ken, Michael and me. A bit of mischief overcame me because in the night, I tied a 5-gallon bucket to the bottom of Aries. In the morning, we set off together; the competition to Kenora began as communications about who had the faster boat continued. Before losing Aries to the horizon, we announced the presence of the impeding bucket beneath their hull via VHF radio. Nothing more was said. Being the gentleman he was, at the extremely busy LOWISA Layover Day dinner, Rod invited us to take their table and chairs which certainly lessened our dinner wait time. We thankfully accepted. We’d have no clue for hours but on our return to Fantastic and the want of late evening beverages, we could find nothing…not a drop of alcohol, beer or wine. Outrageous, we’d been robbed! Later the next day, Rod made contact at the remote anchorage and made reference to their having a great abundance of spirits…”Would we like a beverage”, he taunted. He had the last laugh again, of course! There are dozens of examples I could cite demonstrating Rodney’s dogged determination and his “playfulness”. Those are but a few that are outstanding, to me. Marianne, I’m very sorry for your loss; Rod left far too soon. You will have many wonderful experiences to remember which I hope will bring you a little comfort and a few smiles as you think back. And I’m hopeful that he’s had time now from the other side of the Pearly Gates to pick out the best sailboat and the best mountain to ski on…for all eternity… My most sincere condolences. Bob - Posted by: Robert Nuttall (Twin brother) on: Aug 28, 2023