EDWIN CLELAND NIX

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EDWIN CLELAND NIX April, 1907 - August, 2003 Edwin died peacefully August 5, 2003 at the Deer Lodge Centre. He was predeceased by his wife Emily Maude of 60 years in July, 1990 and his son Paul, in September, 2002. His sister Verlyn and nephew Lorne predeceased him in 2000. Edwin leaves to mourn his niece and husband, Lois and Doug Redding, their four children and 10 grandchildren in Lompoc, California. Edwin was born April 6, 1907 in Winnipegs North End. He attended Luxton School and St. Johns Technical High School. Edwin was a member of St. Johns Methodist Church, a Sunday School Superintendent and later a member of St. Johns United Church. Later, at St. James United Church, he repeated his performance as a Sunday School Superintendent for the church. Also was on the board of Elders and served 20 years as Clerk of the Session. From time to time he conducted church services. His interest was in beautiful things, i.e. Manitoba Legislative Building and grounds where he was instrumental in surveying flowerbeds etc. and helping with the planting of trees and shrubs. He worked for over 45 years with Stovel Company Ltd., pioneer printers in Western Canada, starting as stock keeper, then purchasing agent. He was the President of the Canadian Association of Purchasing Agents in 1960. In 1966 he was chairman of the National Purchasing Conference at the Marlborough Hotel on Smith Street. He excelled as an Honorary Life Member of the Purchasing Agents Association. Edwin was known for his unique family Christmas cards. He and son Paul took photographs and designed the cards together for over 60 years. Edwin was a long standing member of the Manitoba Historical Society. For 10 years he represented the Society of the Winnipeg Historical Building Committees where they drew up significant city buildings lists. In 1970 he became involved with the restoration of what is now Dalnavert Museum, the former home of Manitobas Former Premier, Sir Hugh John McDonald. Edwin spent many hours showing visitors through Dalnavert. Edwin was a great traveller. He was a lover of his native land especially the North West Territories. He spent many weeks on the Mackenzie River on the Hudson Bay Company stern wheel river boat. He travelled the length and breadth of Lake Winnipeg on the S.S. Kenora. In 1926 he shot the Grand Rapids of the Saskatchewan River. He visited Churchill with his son eight times. Edwin and Paul crossed Canada coast to coast via CPR and CNR railways. He visited the Yukon and Alaska with the Manitoba Historical Society via the Inside Passage. He spent many summers at Grand Marais beach, the summer family retreat. A highlight for Edwin was when he and his family played "home away from home" for 106 military trainees on leave from their training base in Shilo. During the Second World War, these boys paid 207 visits, varying from a few hours to weeks at a time, to the Nix household. Some still kept in touch with Edwin and he appreciated those friendships dearly. Always a traveller, three trips to Britain to visit was time friends proved very wonderful. A Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving for Edwin will be held on Saturday, August 9 at 4:00 p.m. at St. James United Church, 234 Parkview St., with a reception to follow in the church. Thank you to all the wonderful staff and nurses at both Grace General Hospital 2nd floor and Deer Lodge Hospital East 2. A dear friend and dedicated member of our church, Edwin will be missed. As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. James United Church, 234 Parkview St., Winnipeg, MB R3J 1S3 LEATHERDALE GARDINER Funeral Chapel - St. James - 949-4872

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 07, 2003