James Ronald ‘Ron’ Nicholson passed away peacefully on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024 after a challenging journey through dementia, but having enjoyed his life to the absolute fullest. Ron was born May 1, 1947 to Mrs. Rene (née Leckenby) and Dr. Robert (Nick) Nicholson in Hamilton, ON who both predeceased him. He was the youngest of the three Nicholson boys. He leaves behind his wife Sue (née Inch) and daughters Wendy (Michael), Sarah (Max) and Jennifer (Jason) and their families. He was predeceased by his brother David (Cathie) and is survived by Derek (Margaret). He is also survived by his brother-in-law Jim (Kathy) Inch and his nieces and nephews.
His university years were thoroughly enjoyed at Western, University of Toronto and then Law School at Queen’s University. At all three schools he worked hard and he played hard. He was called to the Bar in 1977.
After a short stint at a Guelph firm, he started his thriving law practice in 1982 with his partner, David Doney. Nicholson & Doney was his fourth child and he felt immense pride in helping his clients. He was particularly proud of helping shape the world for families suffering with infertility, having worked through one of the first surrogate motherhood cases in Canada. Ron dabbled in Family Law, Criminal Law but his real love was Real Estate Law. He had the wonderful fortune of working closely for Reid’s Heritage Homes for close to 30 years.
Ron and Sue were married in 1973 and welcomed their three daughters Wendy, Sarah and Jennifer in due course. He relished family time at the cottage in Muskoka, skiing in Quebec and in his retirement, traveling with Sue through New Zealand, Central America, Scotland, Europe and the US as well as enjoying their home in Fort Myers, Florida.
Ron had a way of captivating a room with his fantastical stories and larger than life personality. Many of his friends know this to be true and have endured the ‘3-hour cottage tour’ where it was advisable to take a cocktail and snacks!
He was immeasurably proud of his daughters and their various accomplishments and welcomed their spouses enthusiastically into the Nicholson clan.
The joy of Ron’s most recent years were spent in the company of his grandchildren: Benjamin, Abby, Sadie, Nicholas & Landen. He held the role of Papa proudly and delighted in watching them grow and enjoy Muskoka as much as he did.
Ron believed in the principles of Rotary International and was a longtime member of the Guelph Rotary Club and then in his later years, the Bracebridge Club.
While we are so sad to say goodbye to our dear husband and father, we’re enormously grateful for the care that Ron received at the South Muskoka Memorial Hospital and from his PSWs.
Ron was an ardent supporter of the South Muskoka Hospital Foundation, and in lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the foundation: https://www.healthmuskoka.ca/
Visitation will be held at the Reynolds Funeral Home, 1 Mary Street Bracebridge, ON. on Wednesday, Oct. 2 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.
A celebration of Ron’s life will be held Friday, Oct. 18 between 1- 3 p.m. at Cutten Fields, 190 College Avenue East, Guelph, ON.