Obituary of John Nickerson

Nickerson, John James Dec. 11, 1922-June 29, 2011 The family deeply regrets the passing of John James Nickerson as the result of a motor vehicle accident at Granville Center on June 29, 2011. Born in Woods Harbour, Shelburne Co., to the late Arthur Leaman Nickerson and Lena (Smith) Nickerson on Dec 11, 1922, their oldest son. He attended school in Woods Harbour and graduated from Grade XII at Bridgewater High School before attending Provincial Normal College in Truro, completing the Programme there in 1942. He taught in Montague Gold Mines, Hfx. Co. before entering the Canadian Armed Forces in the Signal Corps. Seeing service mainly in England and the Netherlands when the Liberation took place. He returned to Canada where he spent time in Cornwallis, London, Ontario and then graduated from the University of Toronto in 1952. Teaching school and drama remained his chief interests in the next few years when he lived in Annapolis Royal, Westville and Truro where he retired and directed many school and community plays. He was married in 1964 to Katherine G. Fisher of New Waterford, NS when he first moved to Truro to teach at Colchester County Academy. Always interested in new aspects of teaching he undertook a double course at McGill University, Montreal in the summer of 1968 using film in schools. In the summer of 1971 he attended a seminar in British Film in London, England for six weeks this course afforded many opportunities to see films, meet actors, directors, musicians, special effects people, stage hands and camera operators, film critics and historians- altogether a marvelous experience. With great enthusiasm on his return, John devised a pilot course for high school students using some of these available techniques students could use to make a film and enrich their own viewing. While teaching at CEC John regularly acted in community productions and school musicals and directed "Bye, Bye Birdie". His performance of Mr. Bumble in two different productions of Oliver was much enjoyed. During these years his daughter Nadine also often participated as a dancer or part of the make-up crew. After he retired, John continued as a substitute and as a mentor to students. John's experience in teaching, plays, and travels here and aboard gave him a broad background for working with many young people. His last years, in Annapolis Royal, were satisfying and contented. He was involved in the cast and production of a play about Maude Lewis, served as President of the Annapolis District Historical Society, and as a member of the King's Theatre Film Society selection committee. All his life he enjoyed spending time with family and friends spending time with family and friends. His generosity, broad knowledge and understanding, kindness, love of people and the arts made him an excellent teacher and a fine man-husband, father and friend- beloved by family and friends. John is survived by his beloved wife of almost forty-seven years, Katherine "Kathy"; brother, Crandall (Grace) Nickerson; nieces, Mary Louise Finbow of Baccaro; Louanne (David) Link of Clark's Harbour; Marlene (Paul) Robbins of Mass.; Tanya (Mike) Tuckman of FL.; Amy (Sean) Fisher O'Neill of Colorado; nephews, Arthur Stuart (Janet) Finbow of Bedford; Robert G. (Kathy) Finbow, Halifax; William (Karen) Finbow of Halifax; ; David (Dorothy) Finbow of Riverview, NB; John Crandall (Dawn) Nickerson; Peter (Leah) Nickerson, of Woods Harbour; Geoffrey A. Fisher of New Zealand; and ; Aaron A. Fisher of Halifax; brothers-in-law, Lorne A.L. Fisher of BC; Ralph D. (Louise) Fisher of New Glasgow; many great nieces and nephews; Godson Rev. Walter A. (Sarah) Hannam of Saskatoon. Besides his parents he was predeceased by parents-in-law, Alice and Victor Fisher; daughter, Nadine; sisters, Viola Finbow, Margaret Smith, and Louise Nickerson; step mother, Rhoda Ernst; nephew, Arthur Preston Smith. Cremation has taken place under the care and direction of the Kaulbach Family Funeral Home, Annapolis Royal. A Funeral service will be held 2 pm Saturday, September 24, in the St. George and St. Andrew United Church, Annapolis Royal. If desired donations may be sent to the King's Theatre Foundation Box 161, Annapolis Royal, Cobequid Arts Council, Truro; Woods Harbour Community Center, Woods Harbour, N.S.; Rotary Club, New Waterford, NS or to a charity of one's choice. Online condolences may be sent to www.kaulbachfamilyfuneralhome.com