A Life Well Lived
It is with broken hearts we announce that Nils died on April 7, 2019, surrounded by his family and friends. Nils is survived by his loving wife, Jean and sons, Nicholas (Helen) and Stewart. Nils died as he lived, with dignity, strength, humour and by making new connections with everyone around him until the end.
Nils was born in Denmark on July 26, 1949. His family emigrated to Canada in 1957, living in Montreal then Ottawa. Nils received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from the University of Ottawa, and then a law degree from Osgoode Hall, Toronto. He moved to Vancouver in 1975, where he met his Scottish lass, Jean. In Vancouver and later Nelson, Nils worked as a Crown Prosecutor before he and Jean moved to London, England where Nils received a Master of Law degree from the London School of Economics. Upon returning to Canada, Nils taught law at Carleton University in Ottawa and then worked again as a Crown Prosecutor and defence lawyer throughout the Ottawa Valley. Their two sons were born in Ottawa.
In 1995, Nils, Jean, Nicholas, and Stewart moved to Oak Bay, where he would live for the rest of his life. In Victoria, Nils continued to practice as a Crown Prosecutor and to teach law part-time at UVic. In 1996, Nils was elected as a councillor to Oak Bay Municipal Council. He served 15 years as a Councillor before becoming the Mayor of Oak Bay in 2011, a position he held with great pride until 2018. Nils also served the broader community by acting as the Chair of the CRD, and as Chair of the Water Board for 12 years, during which time he helped preserve water security for the region.
Nils will be remembered as a “people person” who truly cared about those around him. He was a consummate volunteer as a coach for his children’s scouting and sporting activities, and for community events throughout the region. Nils was also a community leader who dedicated his time to improving the world around him.
A heartfelt thank you to the doctors and nursing staff at the BC Cancer Agency and the Royal Jubilee Hospital for their gentle care, especially Drs. Vergidis, Brown, and Maskey, and to Dr. Paton of the Eye Care Centre, Vancouver.
A Memorial Service for Nils will be held at the Dave Dunnet Community Theatre, 2121 Cadboro Bay Road at 2 PM on Thursday, April 11, 2019.
Instead of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Mayors’ Art Legacy Fund. Donations can be sent to Oak Bay Municipal Hall, 2167 Oak Bay Avenue, contact Warren Jones (250-598-3311) or visit www.oakbay.ca for additional details.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
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26 Responses
Bryan and I were very sorry to here of Nils passing. He and Jean were very kind to our son Matt through the GNS years with Nick. We were always impressed with Nils dedication to his family and community . Most sincerely Bryan and Patti Scott Moncrieff
Nils, was a great fan off our choir, Victoria Soul Gospel Choir. He sang with us a couple songs on stage every Summer at Willow Beach evening concerts nights. He was very proud to be the Mayor at the time.
He came last year to our annual dance off night with our director Checo T. and danced the night around on Motown music with us. He loved the music and us.
We will miss him this Summer.
Rest in Peace, Nils.
a Choir Member.
I met Nils in the heady days of practise at 222 Main Street which we all affectionately called the “Zoo”. He was a friend, colleague and mentor and we shared the ups and downs of the practice of criminal law on the run… His sense of humour which buoyed me up when things got really crazy taught me that black humour wasn’t bad and it was always better to see the brighter side of any situation. We kept in touch when he left Vancouver and I often looked to him for guidance when I wanted to do something “outside of the box” as a prosecutor. He was ahead of his time in so many ways and I benefited from his embrace of technology in the courtroom. He was a good man, a great person and a friend I was proud to know. He always thought first of his family and I know he would have been most concerned about leaving you all. I will miss knowing he was only just across the pond. My thoughts are with you, his family and close friends, as you mourn his death. May the many great memories you have of your time with your husband and father sustain you in this dark period and comfort you in the time to come. with my heartfelt condolescence Sandy Cunningham
I worked with Nils on a murder trial a number of years ago. He embodied so many excellent qualities. He was a great teacher: not only did he take the time to train me as a young crown but he would stop and talk to every school group that came into the courtroom. He was often so busy talking to them he would barely get lunch. He was patient with everyone around him. Even in the times the trial became stressful he always kept calm and kept a smile on his face. His laughter was never far away (even when we teased him about all his power point presentations). He was kind. He radiated a fundamental inner peace and joy that can only stem from a tranquil, contented soul.
Jean – just to let you know that some of your former colleagues from BH&T (Barb, Nancy and I) are thinking of you and remembering Nils fondly. So sad to hear of his early passing and hope you are coping well. Always remember the days at BH&T when you and Nils met and were courting, and then waltzed off into the sunset! Would be so nice to meet up again and catch up.
What a great loss to family, friends and the community. Nils was always a bright light that offered a warm welcome to all. His service to the people has been outstanding. Did you know that he and Jean were also Ballroom Dancers? very accomplished at that.
My heartfelt condolences to his family.
Nils, what an all-round great guy and gentlemen. Always a good hand shake and friendly smile. Our sincerest condolences to the family.
My sincerest condolences to your family. I’m so sorry that he has left you too soon but I know his memory and legacy will live on in your hearts forever.
Nils made a huge lasting impression on me from the time I first met him. He was always a pleasure to talk to as my first mentor when I started at the Crown Counsel office in 1997. He spent time assisting whenever asked, even though he was in Victoria and I was in Vancouver.
Over the years, I always enjoyed hearing his insights into the law and politics as both our careers progressed.
I looked up to him as he was a model citizen; living up to the ideals of serving his community with every ounce of time he had.
He will be greatly missed by so many people all across the province. He was a great man and his family’s profound loss is one that we all feel.
During one of Nils’ successful campaigns for mayor in Oak Bay, my husband, Simon Skey, realized that he would be away both for advanced voting and Election Day itself. What to do? Nils provided the answer: Simon had to go to the mayor’s office and sign something which Nils had to co-sign, whereupon he could then submit his vote and it would be counted. Nils didn’t attempt to influence the vote although there was the offer of a drink at the Penny Farthing afterwards! We both also knew Nils from our time at Glenlyon Norfolk School as parents when our kids were students, where he was as engaging as ever. Rest In Peace, Nils. Best wishes and our condolences to the entire family.