ION, Nelson Morris
January 6, 1917 ~ January 18, 2005
Nelson died peacefully at Nanaimo, BC after a valiant battle with
cancer. He was born in Hamilton, but lived until WWI in Ancaster,
Ontario. This man who was big not only in stature but in grace, humour,
and faith will be missed by all who crossed his path during his long
journey in this world.
Left to mourn his passing are: Caroline Elizabeth of Nanaimo, his wife
and best friend; younger son Richard Gordon (Rita); grandchildren Jayme
Elizabeth (Scott), Mark Nelson, and Casey, all of Fort Lauderdale,
Florida; daughters-in-law Nancy Adele, Fort Lauderdale, and Linda Rose,
Wailuku, Maui; sister-in-law Doris Young, London, Ontario; and several
nieces and nephews. Nelson and Caroline celebrated their 62nd
anniversary on August 28, 2004.
Nelson was predeceased by his older son Nelson Edward (Ted) in 2000. He
was also predeceased by his parents Nelson and Helen; his siblings
Edna, Norman, Jack, and Harry; brothers-in-law John Turnbull, and The
Rev. Canon Allan Young; and sisters-in-law Alma, Kit, Laura, and
Dorothy.
Nelson served with pride and distinction in the Royal Canadian Air
Force, on active duty for the duration of World War II. He joined with
many boyhood friends the Hamilton BR119 Squadron when it was formed in
1936 as an Auxiliary unit. It went active on the first day of the war.
Nelson was mentioned in dispatches on several occasions for rescue work
during the Battle of the Atlantic, and was awarded the Battle of the
Atlantic Star and the General Efficiency Medal.
He was a former choir boy and a lifelong member of the Anglican Church
of Canada where he served on Parish Council, Delegate to Synod, a
variety of committees and wherever his practical skills could assist
with property and grounds in each parish he attended over the years; a
member of the Air Force Association of Canada; and, a member of the
Royal Canadian Legion Branch, Newmarket and Orillia, Ontario, and
Qualicum Beach, B.C.
Nelson served in managerial positions with the Department of National
Revenue, Customs and Excise Branch from 1946 until his retirement in
1979. Caroline and he moved to Qualicum Beach in 1980 where they made
their home in Eagle-
crest. Nelson was a charter member of both the Eaglecrest Garden Club
and the Eaglecrest Residents Association. He enjoyed all aspects of
life by the sea in beautiful Qualicum Beach. In the spring of 2004
Berwick on the Lake, Nanaimo, became their home.
Nelson was the type of strong personality who marched and/or danced to
his own music. He was known and loved for his offbeat sense of humour
which he maintained to the end, never complaining about the pain. He
took each day as it came, giving thanks for the richness of good
neighbours and friends. He enjoyed the simple pleasures of a walk in
the woods or watching the sunset from Qualicum Beach. His interests
included his workshop, gardening, curling, boating and fishing, but his
chief love was his home and family. He was a good son, brother,
husband, father and grandfather.
A Celebration of Nelson’s life will be held at
St. Mark’s Anglican Church, 138 Hoylake Rd. W., Qualicum Beach, BC on
Saturday, January 29 at noon, followed by a reception in the Parish
Hall.
A tea in his honour will be held at Berwick on the Lake, 3201 Ross Rd.,
Nanaimo, on the preceding day, Friday, January 28 at 2:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the B.C. Cancer Foundation
Research Centre, Vancouver Island, 2410 Lee Ave., Victoria, B.C. V8R
6V5.