June 4, 1915-May 5, 2009. "An old soldier has gone to rest" - Per Castra Ad Astra. It is with great sadness that we announce the recent passing of H.R. "Nick" Nicholson. Born in Burk's Falls, Ont., Nick spent his youth in Mimico-on-the-Lake near Toronto. He then joined the International Brigade and fought in the Spanish Civil war. Upon a hasty return to Canada, he joined the Black Watch Regiment in Montreal and trained as a paratrooper at the outbreak of the Second World War. Anxious for action, Nick joined the British paratroopers as a Canloan officer in two postings-5th Battalion-51st (Highland) Infantry Division and The Black Watch (The Royal Highland Regiment) and later jumped for the American Forces, as well. Nick's military career was predominantly in Special Operations. He was highly decorated including the Croix de Guerre with Palms and Stars from France. Nick met his wife Jeanne (Challice) in Germany while part of the reconstruction forces and she was with an overseas entertainment troupe, the Brockettes from Brockville, Ont. They married in England on March 21, 1945, and later returned to Brockville. In 1950 Nick brought his young family to Halifax, where he became Manager of the Halifax Forum, a position he held until 1969. Nick was instrumental in bringing many entertainment acts to Halifax in the 60s such as the Moscow Circus, Championship Wrestling, The Ice Capades, Johnny Cash, Peter, Paul and Mary and the Beach Boys. He was also instrumental in the realization of the first Atlantic Winter Fair and bringing the Junior Canadians Hockey team to Halifax. He sat on many Halifax boards and commissions. He was also named to Arnie Patterson's Halifax's Best Dressed List. He and his family had a wonderful life in Halifax, and summered in Hubbards and later Seabright, where many wonderful and lasting friendships were made. Nick's wanderlust then led him to take the younger members of the family to Florida, then Kentucky and ultimately Vancouver, B.C., where he ended his working career managing the Thunderbird Winter Sports Center at the University of British Columbia. Nick and Jeanne lived in many areas of the Fraser Delta, finally settling in Walnut Grove in Langley. Nick is survived by his children, Mike (Cindy), St. Francis Harbour; Nancy, Kingsburg; Sally (Gord), Vancouver Island, B.C. and Jaime (Shelley), Pender Island, B.C. Nick was predeceased by his loving wife, Jeanne, in 2006; his son, Special Constable (RCMP) Timothy James Nicholson, 2000; his sister, Muriel (Stidwell) and his parents, Jesse and Mary Jane Ross Nicholson, Meaford, Ont. Nick is also survived by his wonderful grandchildren who provided him much joy and entertainment, Captain Andrew (Liane) Nicholson, Brandon, Man.; Sarah (Patrick) Brown, Fredericton, N.B.; Christian Meagher, Halifax; Jason (Amber) Freed, White Rock, B.C.; Meaghan Nicholson, Richmond, B.C.; Jennifer Nicholson, Ottawa, Ont.; Kaitlin Nicholson, Steinbach, Man.; Sierra and Jacob Nicholson, Pender Island, B.C.; also great-grandchildren, Angel Freed, White Rock, B.C.; Emma and Lucas Nicholson, Brandon, Man. Cremation has occurred. No flowers by family request. A small gathering to celebrate Nick's life is planned for Sunday, May 17, at 2 p.m. at his home in Langley, B.C. Donations may be made to a charity of your choice. "Bang the drum slowly play the pipe lowly To dust be returning from dust we begin"