Wesley NICOL

NICOL, Wesley M. – CM LL.B
Passed away peacefully in Ottawa, in the warm embrace of family and close friends, in his eighty-sixth year. A caring and committed father and grandfather, Wes was the loving husband to Mary (née Robertson) for over fifty-eight years. Predeceased by his parents, Maurice and Marielle Nicol, his brother, Robert, and sisters, Ruth and Beverly, Wes will be sorrowfully missed by his four children, Bruce, Heather, Ian, and Janet Nicol; his twelve grandchildren, Rosanna, Alex, Oliver, David, Mark, Marielle, Nicola, Emmet, Carolyn, Meredith, Myles and Austin; and his step-grandsons, Lucas and Truman. His passing is also sadly mourned by his daughters-in-law, Hildegard Nicol and Jennifer Hicks; his sons-in-law, Martin Julien and Peter Wall; his adored niece, Kathy Brown; and his dearly loved sister-in-law, Joan Robertson.
Wes was born and raised in Ottawa. After securing his BA from Carleton University in 1954, he graduated from Osgoode Hall and was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1958. He worked hard from a young age, starting out as a paperboy and delivery boy, and travelling to the far north as a labourer and land surveyor. The launch of the law firm Nicol and Lazier, in Ottawa, led to a successful career in real estate development. In 1966, Wesley founded Tartan Homes, builder of thousands of homes in the Ottawa area and the United States. Throughout his career, he enjoyed a sterling reputation within the Ottawa business community, which fondly remembers him as enviably thorough, determined and fair. In later years, Wes invested in numerous Ottawa start- ups and high-tech initiatives. A philanthropist, he established the Wesley and Mary Nicol Charitable Foundation, with a focus on local needs. Wes was a loyal supporter of the Liberal Party of Canada, chairing several fundraising committees for the Ottawa/ Carleton region from 1962 onwards. In 1997, he launched the Nicol Award, which has fostered and supported innumerable young entrepreneurs across Canada through a national competition for undergraduate students. A long-standing member of Carleton University's Board of Governors, he also held the position of Chair and Head of the Building Committee. In 2001, Wesley received Carleton's Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year award in recognition of his outstanding entrepreneurial achievements. In 2006, Carleton awarded him an Honorary Doctorate of Law.
In 2013, Wes was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for his commitment to fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs. In the same year, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Ottawa Chamber of Commerce and Ottawa Business Journal awards honouring the best in Ottawa business.
A founding member of the cottage community 'Beaverlost', he and his family spent 50 years there, sharing in a wide variety of activities and sports; his role as "President for Life" and chief gut-bucket player will always be recollected with humour and appreciation. Wes passed many happy hours in his vegetable garden, and was especially known for his onions.
Friends are invited to visit at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 315 McLeod Street (at O'Connor) Ottawa, on Monday, December 5, from 5 – 8 p.m., and on Tuesday, December 6, from 2 – 4 p.m. Memorial Service to be held on Wednesday, December 7, at 11 a.m., at St. Matthew's Anglican Church, 134 Glebe Avenue, Ottawa, with reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Ottawa Heart Institute, the Alzheimer Society, or a charity that is close to your heart.
Condolences / Tributes / Donations
Hulse, Playfair & McGarry
www.hpmcgarry.ca
613-233-1143