Paul James Nicholson

NICHOLSON, Paul James
January 15, 1946 - January 31, 2025

After a long struggle with congestive heart failure, Paul passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and dear friends with the assistance of MAID.
Paul grew up on the banks of the Columbia River in Trail, BC. He left Trail to do a B.A. in English Literature at UBC and pursue his passion for writing.
Paul considered himself the "complete British Columbian." He supported himself through university working in forestry in the Kootenays, in mining in the NWT, on a salmon fishing boat in Queen Charlotte Sound as well as the smelter in Trail.
He got his start as a newspaper reporter in Campbell River and eventually moved to Victoria, working for local news weeklies until he landed a job with the Victoria Times (pre-merger.) He became the Times Chief Political writer and was then hired in the same capacity at the Vancouver Sun.
He left journalism to apply his in-depth political knowledge at a government relations consulting firm, bringing with him his writing skills and intimate knowledge of how government works.
In 1996, he also started an innovative sun protective clothing business with several business partners, which was a refreshing change from wordsmithing.
In retirement he was finally able to write the novel he always dreamed of:
A Piece of the Continent, self-published in 2017 Paul" target="_blank" class="obit-text-link">www.apieceofthecontinent.com
Paul was a downhill ski racer in his teens, a ski instructor in his 20's and ski patroller at Mt Washington in his 30's & 40's. As well as skiing until age 78, Paul also loved sailing and sailboat racing.
To honour these two passions, some of Paul's ashes will be scattered at sea, and at Red Mountain, BC, where he learned to ski.
Paul is survived by his brother, David (Vernon), his son Riley (Vancouver) and his wife, Catherine (Victoria).
Donations in Paul's memory can be made to Our Place Society, Mustard Seed Victoria, or the Victoria Single Parent Resource Centre.