JAMES REGINALD (REG) NICHOLS

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JAMES REGINALD (REG) NICHOLS December 31, 1914 - June 4, 2004 Our family is deeply saddened with the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, neighbour and friend at the age of 89, at Seven Oaks Hospital, peacefully, with his family at his side. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Pauline "Todd", of 61 years of marriage; daughter Barbara (Bob) granddaughters, Shannon (Frank), Lori and Brenda; great-granddaughters, Madison and Sheridan; sister Lil; brothers, Edwin, John (Eileen) and numerous nieces and nephews. Reg was predeceased by his parents and brothers, Bob, Walter and Alan. Dad was an aviation pioneer. He started his career in 1936 at the Brandon Avenue Shops with Canadian Airways Ltd., receiving his Aero Engineers license in 1940. He worked on the Junkers, JU-52 aircraft in the Red Lake and Ontario area. July 10, 1944, he joined the Army, but due to medical reasons, was discharged November 5, 1945. He went to Sioux Lookout the same year as a crew chief and in 1951, was transferred to Edmonton as Chief Mechanic. Eight wonderful years were spent there and many friends were made. He returned to Winnipeg in 1959 and retired in 1978 as Maintenance Manager after 42 years. Dad was a member of the Canadian Aviation Museum, attending many dinners and always spoke highly of the Richardson family for their courageous spirit that was so important to the industry he loved. Mom and Dad were married September 25, 1943 in Winnipeg and resided most of their life in their house in West Kildonan. Aside from his passion in aviation, he loved his garden. Each spring, the map would be made and straight rows were a must. He always shared his bounty with Winnipeg Harvest. Frank and his girls have taken up this challenge and the garden will flourish in his memory. An avid golfer and in his earlier years, a hockey player, fisherman and duck hunter, Dad loved nature and animals. He had a great sense of humour, loved Red Skelton and Jackie Gleason shows and was a lover of music. He never missed Lawrence Welk on television. Mom and Dad loved to watch all sports and were both season ticket holders, going back to the WHA days and were avid supporters of the Winnipeg Jets. Dad remained active all his life, right up until his stroke on May 27, 2004. Grandpa loved his three granddaughters with all his heart. He loved to visit his "Special Lori" at St. Amant. He was proud and supportive of all their accomplishments and welcomed Frank to the family. He was overjoyed to be a great-grandpa. Our heartfelt thanks to the care Dad received at Seven Oaks Hospital, Fifth Floor Unit 1; Dr. J. Moncek and all the nurses, (especially Kim) and aides, for your dedication and compassion. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 12, 1:00 p.m., at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St. with Rev. Peter Cain officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Amant Centre, 440 River Rd., Winnipeg, MB R2M 3Z9 or a charity of ones choice. DEAREST DAD AND GRANDPA The hardest thing in life to bear, To want you Dad and youre not there. With a broken heart we whisper low, We love you Dad and miss you so. As long as we live, well always be glad That we were your children and you were our Dad. Peaceofully sleeping, resting at last, Your weary trials and troubles arnce,e past; In sile you suffered, With such patience you bore, Til God called you home to suffer n more. "God be with you, till we meet again." CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL 586-8044

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 08, 2004