MacCoubrey Funeral Home
30 King St. E., Cobourg
MacCoubrey Funeral Home
30 King St. E., Cobourg
MacCoubrey Funeral Home
30 King St. E., Cobourg
MacCoubrey Funeral Home Reception Centre
30 King Street East, Cobourg
This obituary is protected by copyright by MacCoubrey Funeral Home Limited. Proudly serving Northumberland County in the province of Ontario, Canada. All rights reserved.
Always one step ahead of us, Wayne was born on December 24, 1946, at 11:30 in the evening in Niagara Falls, Ontario to Tressa Maude (Park) and William James ‘Jim’ Nicholson. He spent his growing years hunting, fishing and having fun in and around The Ridge in Wollaston Township. After successfully completing his diploma at Bancroft High School where he met Sharon ‘Gale’ (Phillips), he headed to Toronto with $50 in his pocket to work for Stacey Electric wiring traffic lights. Marrying Gale in 1971, they began their always interesting life together honeymooning by driving across Canada and back in two weeks and then later adding Shelly (Brad Rooney), Jenni (Bryan Stiles) and Trevor to the mix. Moving from Scarborough to Pickering, life was filled with building a new house, figure skating, soccer, Scouts, Venturers, church, and friends. Wayne reconnected with the masonic lodge, joining Doric Lodge and filling life with Lodge picnics, exchange trips to Jamaica and travel with Grand Lodge, serving as Grand Persuviant and receiving his Jubilee Award. Wayne, who considered himself “just a dumb electrician” had many friends and associates through his businesses with Nicholson Industrial Electric and Nicholson Packaging Equipment Services. Despite retiring, his Masters Electrician licence was still active in his wallet because you never knew when it might be needed. Wayne’s circle included a broad range of people from all walks of life, you were all interesting and appreciated. Thank you for being part of the ride.
Wayne’s pride and joy were his grandchildren, Ainsley Rooney, Tressa Rooney, Aidan Stiles, Owen Stiles and Liam Stiles who miss him deeply. He would have loved to see where life takes each of them. He was proud of them all. He was always on the hunt to find something new he could make for them for Christmas.
Wayne, Husband, Dad, Grampa, Son, Uncle, Friend was an inquisitive, hardworking, tough loving, social butterfly who showed his love through service. The $50 he started with in his pocket had a good return, with hard work it became a family and life that was something to be proud of. He loved us all fiercely and we loved him in return. He loved to talk, teach, and connect. He loved to start projects and was never happier than when he was getting ready to embark on a new one. He made lists on little pieces of paper everywhere he went; if there is something you need to know, there is likely a note somewhere with the information on it. He was proud, his name was written on anything and everything he owned. He loved to travel and completed his quest to dip his toe in every ocean touching North America when he made the drive together with Gale to the Arctic Ocean in August. Travel was great but he was never happier than being outdoors at home, the cottage or the hunt camp. He loved a good laugh, good food, good Scotch. He loved to tease, loved the cottage and the outdoors, hunting, fishing, hiking, snowmobiling, ATV’ing, being. We teased and called him the Land Baron of Hastings County as he collected properties that meant something to him including the first cottage that closed the night Shelly was born, his Great Grandparent’s homestead, his father’s woodlot and others that held a special place in his heart and connected him to his roots. There was always more than met the eye. Dad was the proud ribbon winner for his maple syrup that was unparalleled in quality and taste, made by hand in small batches using the single pan method. His Gal-A-Way Sugar Shack was paradise. He was a fierce protector. If you needed someone who knew what to do, he was your guy. He was our guy and we happily shared him.
Wayne was called home too early, on Wednesday November 15th. It was his mother’s birthday.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation to be held at MacCoubrey Funeral Home, 30 King St. E. in Cobourg on Wednesday November 22nd with Masonic Service at 10:30 a.m., Celebration of Life Service at 11:00 a.m. and Reception to follow.
Those wishing may make a memorial donation to The Ridge Zion United Church Cemetery, c/o Mr. Layne Moore, RR#2 1970 The Ridge Road, Coe Hill, Ontario K01 1P0 or a charity of your choice.
My deepest condolences to Gail and the entire family. Wayne was a very interesting man. I have a cottage around the corner from where Wayne and Gail had two cottages side by side on the peninsula at Limerick lake. Unfortunately, I only met Wayne in person within the last 4 years. This after being on the lake for 16 years. I wish I had met him sooner. Over the last four years though, we had great conversations out on the ice while we were fishing. He was a great conversationalist and just as good at listening as well. His humour and smile made you feel very comfortable. A man with tremendous energy, not sure how Gail ever kept up with him. I will miss Wayne as a friend and fellow cottager but the memories of him will always be with me. Rest in peace Wayne, you left us too soon. Tim Mellor
Dear Gale, We are sorry to hear the sad news of Wayne's death. We have many fond memories through our families' connections at the PFSC and Whitby Ice Fyre. Our sincere condolences.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
The Ridge Zion United Church Cemetery
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
The Ridge Zion United Church Cemetery
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
The Ridge Zion United Church Cemetery
So sorry to hear of Wayne’s passing,, He was in Bill’s electrical class in N.H.H.S. Bancroft, in later years they are Masonic Brothers..
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
The Ridge Zion United Church Cemetery
Dear Gale and all the family, What a beautiful obituary. You could tell he filled his dash very well surrounded by a lot of love. Thinking of you at this time and sending prayers that your memories will put a smile on your face when you think of Wayne. With heartfelt sympathy, Barbara Burton, class of '67
Gale, sorry to hear of Wayne’s passing. We send along our sincere condolences.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
Northumberland Hills Hospital Foundation
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
The Ridge Zion United Church Cemetery
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
The Ridge Zion United Church Cemetery
We did not know Wayne very long but found him kind, honest, and great visitor. We will miss him.
Deepest condolences going out to the whole family! Wayne was a cherished Uncle of my dear Friend Sherry Phillips! Wayne and Gale also went to dances with my parents as they are good friends of Jack and June Phillips! A good man gone too soon!❤️🙏
Visiting with Wayne was a highlight of the KCAT reunions. He and Glenn always found something mechanical or car related to discuss and, as we were both "associate alumni", he was always good company to me. He will be missed. Our very sincere condolences to Gale and family.
Dear Gail and family: How terribly said we are to read about Wayne. He was the life of every reunion and an honorary member of Year '67 - Kemtpville College. While his legacy will live on through his wonderful family and many accomplishments. we know that Wayne will be truly missed at every event. Our arms are around all of you. Sincere condolences. Roy & Mary Carver - Ottawa
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
The Ridge Zion United Church Cemetery
Wayne: It seems such a short time ago when we first met. You had offered to complete some electrical work at the curling club (volunteering of course). It only required the length of time to change a florescent light ballast for us to become friends. Each additional project we tackled the more I learnt about you, the deeper that friendship became. It was just too short a time as we had so many more projects to be completed. I dearly miss you buddy, friend, educator, and advisor. Gale and Family: My deepest sympathy during this time of losing such a great husband, father and grandpa.
A beautiful soul at rest. May God bless and keep him. My deepest sympathy to Shelly and her whole family. You have loss a great man .
To say Wayne was a father figure to me would be an understatement. I have known him most of my life and watched in awe on the things he would build from houses to cottages, to unnaturally large garages. I could always rely on his advice and guidance and I needed it often! There is an old saying that there is a big difference between knowledge and wisdom. Wayne would let be ramble on about a topic, making sure that I let the ‘old man’ know just how much the younger whipper-snapper knew about (insert subject here). Wayne would patiently wait, and then begin with “OK, But…..” That’s when the Wisdom was delivered with both barrels. I fell into this trap a few times. I did learn a thing or two, and in later years I began each conversation with “Pretend I have been going on and on for an hour already and just tell me what you know about……” Wayne is the type of person any man would want to be like. He is warm, welcoming, and incredibly talented with construction, and business. The perseverance and ingenuity was proven over the decades to get through the tougher times. His family is the best tribute there can be for ones’ success. A loving wife, two beautiful daughters and one clone. Not to mention the collection of grandchildren that he loved to pieces. I will never forget the lessons you taught me, and laughter we shared. I owe you the highest respect and affection. There are few good, decent, real men left in this world, and we just lost one of the best of them. Be at peace Wayne. You will always be my conscience and guide. Jeff
Gale and family members. Our deepest condolences to each of you. So saddened to learn of your recent heartache and the passing of Wayne. Your travelling companions kept us uptodate with your recent Arctic Trip. A trip of a lifetime. In our frig is a jar of Maple Syrup- Batch 1 Mar 25/17. Beautiful maple syrup. Wayne told us at the time he and his granddaughter were the makers. The flavor is superb. The texture is superb. The colour is superb. Growing up, I helped my dad in the bush tapping trees and producing quality Maple Syrup. Wayne’s magnificent Maple Syrup brought back memories of those days with horses and sleigh. Spending the whole day in the bush. Fond memories of Wayne, a true gentleman with an always friendly greeting. Don and I extend our deepest sympathy. Janet DIRSTEIN
My condolences to you and your family
Gale Julia & I give you our deepest sympathy & condolences for your loss of a wonderful husband. I personally cannot believe that he has passed away, to me it's like waking up to a bad dream. You and Wayne were very close and I'm sure going to miss him and his cheerful laugh. May the GAOTU comfort him and may he RIP.
Gale and family, I am deeply sorry for your loss. I'm a friend of Sherry Phillips and I remember her and I going to your home and having a great afternoon with you and Wayne, hearing and telling stories and laughing all afternoon. Wayne also sent a bottle of maple syrup home with me, it was wonderful , and very kind of him. My thoughts are with you and yours during this difficult time. Cheryl Jameson
Gale and family, I’m sad to hear this news. I enjoyed talking with Wayne anytime I saw him, especially at the Bethlehem Walk. He will be missed. Cindy Trew
So sorry to hear of Wayne’s passing condolences to the family.
Gail and family my heart breaks with you. One of my favorite people who was taken too soon. I will see you at the Ridge church in the spring of I can't make it to Cobourg on Wednesday. Love Donna and family.
Goodbyes only exist for people who love with their eyes. There is no separation for those who love with their heart,and soul. Love you will miss you lots,thanks for the many memories we had in the short time I have known you. R.I.P. till we meet again Uncle. My condolences to Aunt Gale and Family so sorry for your loss of a wonderful man
Shelly, sending our deepest condolences to you and your family. May all the special memories you have bring you comfort.
We are thinking of you Gayle and your family. They are right in saying ,only the good dye young. Our Sincere Sympathy.
Sorry to hear of Wayne's passing Gayle. Our sincere condolence to you and your family. Remember Wayne, how he enjoyed your reunions from Kemptville and we enjoyed talking to him at each of them.
My condolences and prayers go out to the family for their loss. Best wishes and God bless.
A Memorial Donation has been made to the following charity:
The Ridge Zion United Church Cemetery
It is with great sadness that I learn of Wayne’s passing. He was a great mentor through my Masonic journey. I know he will be sadly missed and I send my sincere condolences to Wayne’s wife and family.
So sorry to hear of Wayne's passing. Our common thread was the Masonic fraternity. It was a joy to be with him. He always available to offer advise or help solve an issue or two. It was a pleasure to have known Wayne. So Mote It Be
We are Very sad to hear of Wayne's passing. We always enjoyed talking with him and very greatful to recieved his advice when I would call upon him. Wayne was a very good Man and a Great Gentleman. We will miss him we were always glad to see him and Gale cruse by our Cottage as they were coming or going to there's. God Bless Dave & Cathy
Very sorry to hear of Wayne's passing.I met Wayne quite a few years ago we went to small engine repair classes together and of course met Gale and kids.What a great family. Will miss you Wayne you and Gale where great friends.Will always be in our heart's R.I.P.Wayne. Jin and Cathy Giles.
Wayne I will always remember the laughs we had together as well as the ventures we took together Like moving a cottage from one location to another across the ice on ice hardly fit to walk on Wayne i will miss you Buddy who will i call now when i have a problem fixing something Rest in Peace my man Condolences to all the family Cal
Wayne was the only cousin I ever had on the Park side of the family. But I could not of asked for a better one. Thought we did not see each other often are times together we’re memories i will never forget. He was a great man, Condolences to Gale and all the family. From John & Suzanne Tawnya & Ray Aaron & Char and families.
So so sorry to hear about Wayne's passing. We didn't know him very long but enjoyed his and Gale's company having a chat and a couple of beers down on the dock. Our condolences to the family.
My heart broke when I heard he was ill and then again when we lost him. He was the true meaning of love, of caring and of family, the perfect uncle. Someone who truly was admired. I will miss him always💔
What a wonderful man he was. He left a great legacy , never to be forgotten. The Mackay’s send much love to you all.
So sad to miss Wayne we send our sincere condolences to you Gale and family. I have many fond memories of Wayne. He was my bunk buddy at the hunting camp and never infringed on my space I did that on my own falling out of the top bunk twice. He was a man of many interests and was always there to help. He will be greatly missed not only as a fellow hunter but also as a neighbour and friend.
Gale, Everil & I send our sincere condolences to you & family. We are shocked! Wayne came over a few weeks ago to look at our Model A. He said a friend had one to sell & he was considering it. I nearly dropped in several times to see if he had it. We left for Texas Nov.16th & are here until about April 15th.I am sorry I didn’t get to know him better. Please call me if there is anything you want me to do. Our Texas # is 956-374-1795
So sorry to hear about Wayne's death. We will miss his smiling face at church on Sunday mornings! Brenda and Neil Manley
You left us to soon Wayne . Today there is no more sickness no more pain , now Rest in Peace , Will miss you until we meet again .