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
www.mccallgardens.com
26 Responses
I am just learning about this sad news in January 2024. Nils was my evidence prof at Uvic Law, and also a mooting coach in final year wherein he took our team to third place! It was an amazing experience meeting Nils at many of Victoria’s nooks and crannies at all times of the day and night to get in a coaching session on strategy, cross-examination tips, persuasion and the like. I never would have seen the many treasures of Victoria if not for Nils, nor absorbed a fraction of his penchant for public service – which ultimately led to me joining the CAF on graduation.My condolences to the family. Warmly, Scott Graham.
I just read about Nils passing in The Advocate . My sincere condolences to his family. Of interest to some might be our sporadic connection over more than 50 years . In 1969, I believe ,we co chaired a conference of Canadian engineering students in Ottawa . He represented Ottawa U , I Carleton. It was a great success due to his efforts. we lost touch but both ended up in law and nearly 10 years later articled at the same law firm. He was one year prior and was a tough act to follow – see the remarks of Hilda Hamilton in her message.
We actually had random email connections over the years. We always promised to get together. We never did. There is a lesson there. I wish we had.
My sincere condolences to Jean and family.We were very saddened to hear of the loss of Nils.
I knew of Nils back at Hillcrest high school in Ottawa in the 1960s. He was about four years ahead of me so we weren’t good buddies (four years apart in high school puts you in different worlds!).I do know that even back then he was a very well thought-of guy: good athlete, very good student, well-liked and highly respected. I really got to know Nils when he and Jean and their family moved to Third Avenue in 1991. We lived on the same small block between Percy and Chrysler. We had lots of fun times watching our young families grow up and doing great neighbourly things together. Nils and I and Joey Marshall started the annual Third Avenue Block Party that was an event to behold. It still carries on to this day (but it ain’t what it used to be). We were very sad to see them leave Ottawa but were fortunate to have kept in contact and gotten together over the years. We were happy to see Nils, Jean and family thrive and flourish in beautiful Victoria.
Nils was a great guy. He had, as someone said, a wicked sense of humour and was blessed with an easy laugh and smile. He was a very honourable, intelligent and kind man with a deeply rooted social conscience. He was a strong and devoted family man. He excelled at his profession and served his community with a tireless sense of duty. His indeed was a life well-lived.
John Thomson,Susan Sollars and family, Ottawa
Dear Jean and family,
I was so sorry to hear the sad news about Nils – please accept my sincere condolences. We worked together at Carleton many years ago, and I have many fond memories of that time. I had a very nice note from him a couple of years ago when I had invited him to our departmental 50th anniversary celebrations; he had kindly offered to give me the “Mayor’s Grand Tour” if I made it out that way!
In sympathy,
Ron Saunders
I heard of Nils’ passing today. Some years ago Nils was opposing counsel on a very difficult, stressful, pressure-filled case. Throughout the proceedings, Nils was a thorough gentleman and eminently reasonable in his approach to everything. While the case was a difficult one, it was made that much easier because of Nils, and I feel very fortunate to have had his mentorship by example. His contribution to the public good will be missed but his legacy is ongoing.
My sincere condolences to Jean and family on the loss of Nils. Nils and Jean were Senior Residents (house parents/residence advisors) at Carleton University during the 1980s. Nils was wise, generous with his time, supportive to students, and a wonderful colleague to our small community of senior residents. I have followed his career since (from a distance) and knew he was continuing to contribute deeply and significantly to his community of Oak Bay. Jean, I am so sorry to hear of his untimely loss. Christine Tausig Ford, Ottawa, Ontario (formerly of Lanark House)