August 24, 1933 - July 30, 2024
In loving memory ~
Don Nixon was born on August 24, 1933, to Basil Orme Nixon and Agnes "Nan" Knox Douglas.
Basil was an officer in the Royal Canadian Navy in WW 2 and specialized in dealing with incendiary devices and fires. After the war, Basil went on to become the Fire Marshall of British Columbia.
Don had an older brother Jack and younger brother Alan. Their childhood adventures included forbidden trips to the banks of the Fraser River, playing hockey and especially memorable road trips to Banff and to Princeton to visit family. These trips were made before roads were paved and Alison pass did not exist. Don enjoyed the hijinks and camaraderie he shared with his brothers. He inherited his love of community from his family and friends. While attending the Duke of Connaught high school in New Westminster, Don met the love of his life, Rosemary.
After a courtship, the two eloped which was kind of bad-ass in the 1950s!! Don had decided at an early age that he should be a salesman and after his 2 daughters were born the young family moved to Victoria where Don worked for Arthur C. Weeks company in the floor covering business. He was very successful and was then sent to Saskatchewan, first to Regina, where son Doug was born, then to Saskatoon where 2 brothers, Bob and Richard, appeared on the scene.
The family returned to Victoria in 1964, and Don befriended many prominent business families, meeting them through his sales work with Domtar. He won many sales achievement awards. In these years he was a member of the Kinsmen and coached baseball. Don and Rosemary kept their own kids busy too, Cubs, baseball, hockey, dance music lessons etc!
Summers the family vacationed at Bowser and in 1971 Hornby Island caught Don's interest. A PUB! For sale! Within a few months, the family moved from Victoria and made Shingle Spit Resort their home. Don and Rosemary loved the social life of running the pub and campground, store, and cafe. Also, Don started his favorite career of all as Postmaster of Hornby Island for over 40 years. He counted all his customers and residents of Hornby as his friends.
After retiring from the Post office, Don started an Advertising paper called the Hornby Tribune. Every week he wrote "the Brooker" report. He was very proud that he had created a job, as he liked to help anyone and everyone.
Some of Dads" side hustles" were smoking salmon, inventing a satellite dish protector (he sold to Lottery Corp and to the RCMP for the Whistler Olympics!) selling construction materials and don't forget self-proclaimed Mayor of Hornby Island.
On "holidays" Don would go help his kids with renos', repairs, and build things!
A natural born comedian, Don would try to get a laugh or a smile out of everyone.
Don's bright, blue eyes and winning smile and love of all things Hornby and golf will be missed!
Dad! We miss you, but now you can finally get some sleep!!
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to any/all of the Hornby Island Community groups.
