GEORGE ARTHUR NICHOLS

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GEORGE ARTHUR NICHOLS George passed away peacefully on Friday, February 21, 2003, at Misericordia Health Centre. George was born on December 4, 1919, the eldest son of Victor and Idyth Nichols of Sanford. Surviving immediate family members are wife Olga (Andersen) daughter Sheryl; son-in-law Barry Feller; grandchildren, Jamie and Lindsay; brothers, Lou and Harvey; and sisters, Joyce Eaton and Margaret Morien. George was predeceased by his parents; and brother Grant (Red). George attended school in Sanford. One year after his graduation, the Second World War began. George served in the Royal Canadian Air Force as an aircraft mechanic in the United Kingdom. After the war, George farmed with his father in the summers and worked in bush camps or mines in the winter. Before returning home in the spring of 1949, George visited his cousin Arnold Mansell in Crossfield, AB, and was introduced to Olga Andersen. George and Olga were married on November 11, 1949. George and Olga moved into the Nichols "old house" and began farming 200 acres. George was a farmer ahead of his time, always working off the farm to be able to afford to farm. He worked for many years with Manitoba Hydro, then for Kraft Construction. In 1963, George and Olga moved into their new house across the road from the Nichols "big house" - finally having indoor plumbing and running water. George lived in this house until the last few months of his life and spent many hours in his chair reading. George loved reading, and, for many years, the Childrens Hospital Book Market was an annual highlight where he found many treasures. In the Sanford community, George was a member of the Legion, the Pool, the Credit Union and the Co-op. In 1979, George retired to farm and, with Olga, to spend many hours travelling back and forth to Stonewall to be with their grandchildren, Jamie and Lindsay. When Sheryl and family moved back to Sanford in 1986, everyone lived together in the farmhouse for a year. George was proud of the "century farm" designation and the Bluebear Farms horse operation which brought new activity to the yard. George and Olga greatly valued the excellent service they received from home care which enabled them to stay on the farm in recent years. George was kind and selfless always putting others needs ahead of his own. Before roads were gravelled and the notorious Sanford mud made them impassable, George would walk to the Hydro sub-station in order to get to work and not let his employer down. His gentle presence will be missed by everyone who knew him. Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 1 at Charleswood United Church at 1:00 p.m. Thomson Funeral Chapels in charge of arrangements, phone 783-7211. THOMSON FUNERAL CHAPELS 783-7211

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 26, 2003