June 26, 1921 ~January 13, 2007
Nick was born in Big Valley, Alberta and was the fourth oldest of 13 children of August and Pauline Nicklom, who were pioneering farmers, having immigrated from Estonia. He attended a local one room schoolhouse until the age of 13 when he went to live in a dormitory in town and attend high school. After completing high school, he traveled with his brother Henry to BC in 1937 to find work. In Ocean Falls, he found employment in a pulp mill, working on the railway and working as a mechanic. He joined the Canadian Army in 1941 and served overseas in Britian, France and Germany as a member of the 4th Armoured Division and as a dispatch rider. He participated in the D-Day landings and in the liberation of Holland in 1945.
Upon his discharge, he returned to Vancouver and married Jean Caldwell in 1946. Together they worked hard to allow him to pursue his education, earning an Engineering Degree from UBC, which had been his dream. After graduation in 1951, he returned to the military, joining the Royal Engineers in Chilliwack. He enjoyed a long and distinguished career in the Engineers, including an eighteen month Peacekeeping tour in the Middle East in 1960 as part of the United Nations. He also built NORAD bases in the Arctic and worked for three years in Whitehorse in charge of maintaining the Alaska Highway. Retiring in 1968, he went to work as a consulting civil engineer in London, Ontario. He finished his engineering career in Calgary, working on the Olympic Park in Calgary and the Olympic Ski Facilities in Kananaskis, including the Kananaskis Highway.
After his “retirement”, he sold real estate in Calgary, owned and operated a Mexican restaurant and performed volunteer work, helping seniors prepare their tax returns.
Nick was predeceased by his wife, Jean in 1982, and his close companion in 2001. He is survived by his son, Rob (Orla) and his daughter, Lynda (John); his four grandchildren of whom he was especially proud; Persephone (Michael) Morenz, Christian (Jen) Little, Erika Nicklom and Jeremy Nicklom; as well as great granddaughter, Mariechen Little.
A special thank you to Maureen and her team at Parkwood Manor for their excellent care during the past few years, and to the staff at the Waverly and Dr. Howard Bright for the excellent care and comfort Nick received in his final days.
A Memorial service will be held on February, 4 at 2:00 pm at Woodlawn Mt. Cheam Funeral Home; 45865 Hocking Ave, Chilliwack BC. Following the service, a remembrance of Nick’s life will take place at the Best Western Rainbow Country Inn, 43971 Industrial Way, Chilliwack, BC
Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in Nick’s name to the Canadian Diabetes Association.