JOHN RIDGEWAY NIXON

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JOHN RIDGEWAY NIXON John died peacefully at home with his family by his side on November 8, 2007. John was born in Toronto on July 7, 1922. He attended John Ross Robertson School and Lawrence Park Collegiate. In 1942 he joined the RCAF and trained as a pilot. His career in the Air Force, after training in Canada, included stations in England, Eindhoven and Helmot Holland where he piloted Typhoons. After being shot down in Germany he was sent to England then Canada to recover from his injuries. In January 1946 he joined the T. Eaton Company where he had a 24 year career in the fashion industry. In 1970, with his family, he moved to Winnipeg to work for Gambles, McLeods in the merchandising field. After retirement he had a short career in the real estate business working for S.S. Stevenson. Throughout his life he was an avid sportsman playing junior hockey, curling, swimming and badminton. The sport of his life, however, was golf! As a scratch golfer he played in many amateur tournaments including the Canadian Open. He was a member of the Summit G CC in Toronto and on arrival in Winnipeg joined the Niakwa Golf and Country Club. He also fulfilled his community responsibilities in many volunteer organizations, including the War Time Pilots and Observers Association where he served as president. The Reh-Fit Centre, St. Andrews River Heights United Church, Niakwa Golf Club and others. In 1948 he married Miriam Loheed. They had four children, J. Bradford Nixon (Carol) of Toronto and NOTL, Craig R. Nixon (Shirley) of Calgary, Kerri Ann Sant (Graham) of Bath, England and M Kathryn Nixon (Garth Stapon) of New Milford, Connecticut. There are eight grandchildren, Leslie, Lauren, Kristen, Sean, Claire, Brenna, Kenneth, Meredith and one great-grandchild, Willa. He had two sisters Molly Bartram of Collingwood and the late Betty Sheppard of Bermuda. In retirement he continued to enjoy his golf, curling, volunteering and visiting family who were living in many different places in Canada, the US and England. In remembrance donations to a charity of your choice or the Cancer Research and Treatment Centre in Winnipeg would be welcomed. A memorial service will be held at St. Andrews River Heights United Church at Oak and Kingsway in Winnipeg on Monday, November 12 at 2:30 p.m. Elevator access at the Oak Street entrance.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 10, 2007