Nightingale family
Dear family i am sorry to hear about Mr. Roy Nightingale he was such a nice
person and my thoughts and prays are with you all
Obituary for James Roy Nightingale, 1923 – 2022
Lovingly remembered by his family and friends, James Roy Nightingale passed to Spirit on Saturday, October 15, at the Temiskaming and District Hospital Long Term Care Unit. Roy was born in Toronto on February 9, 1923 and moved to New Liskeard with his family when he was nine years old.
Roy is survived by his loving wife of 33 years Norma Pedersen (nee Morrow), his son Jim, his daughters Nancy (Cameron) and Kim, his grandchildren, James, Trey, Jennafer and Sonny and his great grandson, Tristan. Roy is also survived by Norma's sons, Karl (Nancy), Alec (Sharon), Dennis (Debbie) and Terry (Lorrie) and their children and grandchildren who he was affectionately known as Poppa Roy. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 36 years and our loving mother Audrey Nightingale (nee Dobson), his parents Harry and Minnie Nightingale and his brothers John and Bruce.
Dad was proud of his service with the 3 rd Medium Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery during the second world war and as a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 33. As Dad had been studying surveying at the Haileybury School of Mines, he was placed on the front lines as reconnaissance patrol. One of his favorite musings was “If I could see them, they must have been able to see me.” Dad participated in liberating cities and towns in the Netherlands, Italy, and France. We were honored to have accompanied Dad to the Netherlands for the 70th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands in 2015. Following the war, Dad completed his education at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute in architectural and design studies.
An avid sportsman, Dad loved playing baseball and fishing and hunting. As a family we enjoyed many trips with family friends to various hunting camps and cottages and he was raised on Twin Lakes at his family cottage on Jones Bay. Throughout the winter months, Dad loved to play hockey, curl, and snowmobile. He and Norma loved to spend their weekends at the cottage on Anima Nipissing Lake all year round. But it was golf that hooked him! Dad was one of the founding members of the New Liskeard Golf Course and loved to both play and watch golf until his final days. He had a passion to perfect his swing and was still contemplating taking some golf lessons. Dad also loved jazz and country music and was a favorite dance partner at many events.
Dad began his life's work at Hill-Clark-Francis, Ltd. where his father worked. He moved briefly to North Bay when the company relocated but was soon back in New Liskeard joining the staff at John Clark Building Enterprises in 1961 as the Construction Manager. Dad retired from John Clark Building Enterprises, later known as Pinewood, in 1994 and then went on to consult for a variety of local construction projects over many years. In the late 1960s Dad assumed the role as Chair of the Board of Education for a few years.
Thank you, Norma, for taking such good care of Dad for all these years. He was convinced that your blueberries, the spice of life, were the key to a long and healthy life, and he was right. Thank you to Dr. Corneil, Dr. Corbeil, and the wonderful staff at the Temiskaming District Hospital for your thoughtful care of our father. Thank you to Jennifer Sweet, our PSW, who supported dad with so much love, laughter, and care in his final year and to Andrew Veley, Physiotherapist, who encouraged Dad's continued physical well-being.
Dad, you have always been our rock, our inspiration, and our support. We are so blessed to have had you in our lives as our father, grandfather, Poppa Roy, and best friend. We will miss you forever and know that we will carry on your legacy to be our best and do our best. With all our love until we meet again.
The funeral service for Dad will be held on Friday, November 4, 2022, at the Timiskaming Funeral Cooperative (Formerly Perrin Funeral Chapel), 128 Whitewood Avenue, Temiskaming Shores. Visitation from 1 to 2 pm Service from 2 to 3 pm A reception will be held following the service at the Branch 33 Legion Hall in New Liskeard.
Donations in Dad's memory can be made to Legion Branch 33, Bunker Military Museum, the New Liskeard Golf Course Junior Program, or a charity of your choice.