March 23, 2023
On March 23, 2023, we said goodbye to Orville. He took his final peaceful breath with family at his side. His final journey included spending the last two months in the Pasqua Hospital, Regina, Saskatchewan as he coped with the sudden advancement of the disease of dementia. His final week in the hospital was his most peaceful and pain-free since he was admitted on January 15, 2023. We want to thank those at the hospital who provided care to him.
Orville, Dad, Grandpa “O” and Great-Grandpa, we know you are celebrating in heaven with a new body! We love and honour you, until we meet again.
Left to mourn are Orville’s wife of 32 years Sharon Nichols; the mother of his children Elaine Nichols; his children Debbie Wollbaum (Jake), daughter Cindy Megaw (The Honourable Mr. Justice Michael T. Megaw), son Doug Nichols (Janis) and daughter Kathy Storey (John); his grandchildren Joe (Kristin) Megaw and their children Bos, Briggs and Banner, Samantha Megaw, Jamieson Alexander (Michael), Ellen Megaw, Isaac Nichols and Ethan Nichols; his sister Phyllis Will (Horst); as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Orville was born on August 21, 1936 in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan to Anne and Howard Nichols. Their family relocated to Regina, Saskatchewan when Orville was very young to allow his father to pursue his work as a truck driver. His family grew to include his sisters Joannie and Phyllis and his brother Gary. His sister Joannie passed away as an infant and his brother Gary predeceased him in 2020.
Together with his wife, Sharon Nichols, they celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary. They were married on August 24, 1990. Their commitment to each other was evident throughout their marriage and up to the last day of Orville’s life.
Orville married Elaine Greiner on June 30, 1957 and together they had their four children. While Orville and Elaine separated in 1982, their commitment to their children and grandchildren remained throughout.
In 1957 Orville joined the Regina City Police and remained there until 1982, when he retired to pursue his many other life interests. While with the police force, he rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. As well, he was recognized for his marksmanship with numerous trophies and awards. His police career was marked by distinction and an uncompromising sense of duty.
The many other interests which Orville had included an incredible ability with woodworking – if it could be built, he was the man who would build it. From large furniture projects to intricate wood lathe work, he provided to his family heirlooms that will be treasured for generations to come. His workshop was his happy place with the pencil and a piece of paper (staple items) in the breast pocket of his shirt.
But Orville’s interests went beyond just professional quality woodworking. He enjoyed riding his Goldwing motorcycle, fixing and improving his vehicles, and early on riding his Ski-doo snowmachine. He not only participated in those activities but was always front and centre to join organizations that existed to support those interests like: Prairie Prowlers, Woodworkers’ Guild, Blue Knights, Christian Motorcycle Association, Saskatchewan Driver Educator’s Association. His long involvement in, and support of, these various organizations made him an expert on Robert’s Rules of Order.
Never a man to sit idly by he also developed his own careers beyond the police force. He successfully owned and operated Permaseal Laminating as well as Nichols Driving School. His interests were broad and varied and he gave all that he had to further those interests successfully. Upon his retirement from the police force, he held positions as a coroner, marriage commissioner, and justice of the peace. As a marriage commissioner, he performed over 3,500 civil wedding ceremonies and had the pleasure of ultimately marrying the grown children of those he had married in the early years of doing commissioner work.
Orville was devoted to his family. That devotion began to his mother Anne, throughout her life and particularly following the early passing of his father. His devotion saw him, together with his father, arrange to move an existing house from MacLean to Regina and then completing the refurbishing once on the new basement structure. His mother lived in that house until her last days. His devotion continued to his wife Sharon, his children, his grandchildren, and his great-grandchildren. He loved nothing more than being with family at all of the various gatherings where he could watch and connect with everyone in his family. In his later years, his biggest smile came when a child or grandchild would sit with him over pie and ice cream just to talk and be together.
His large circle of friends will also mourn his passing. He had regular coffee buddies and going for coffee was a routine he enjoyed throughout his life. His friendships extended far beyond just those coffee groups and every time when out in public, he would spend his time saying hi and stopping to chat with many of those friends.
From the time Orville placed his faith in Christ as his personal savior until his last day, he was guided by God’s Word and God’s Spirit.
He will be sadly missed. However, there is a part of him in all of those who survive him. They will know that part and will remember they were blessed to have Orville in their lives.
The Celebration of Orville’s Life will take place on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. in Faith Baptist Church, 437 Broadway Avenue East, Regina, Saskatchewan. Livestream of the Celebration of Life can be viewed at: https://fbcregina.online.church/. In lieu for flowers, please donate to the Child Evangelism Fellowship of Saskatchewan or a charity of your choice.
Regina Sk Canada
We are sending thoughts and prayers to your family during this challenging time. Ken always enjoyed the visits he had with Orville and both Leanne and Kim have fond memories of their driver training. I was fortunate to have met him on several occasions and was always struck by his warmth. May your memories and faith give you comfort. Ken Walters family
Regina Saskatchewan Canada
Debbie, our heartfelt sympathies to you and your entire family. We are keeping all of you close in thought and prayer.
Airdrie Ab Canada
Sending our deepest condolences to the family. Orville was a great man, he always made sure when passing through Alberta to stop in for a visit, he will be missed. Vernon & Jacquie Nichols
Emerald Park SK Canada
Sharon, our sincerest condolences to you and your family. We remember our years together when Denis and Orville rode their motorcycles to Sydney, Montana every year. Orville also introduced Denis to the South Sask. Woodworking Guild which has now been his passion for the past 10 years. He was a gracious, soft spoken, considerate and loving friend. We are so sad we will miss the Celebration of Life, as we are still in USA. He will be truly missed! Rest in Peace Orville. Denis and Danielle.
Regina Saskatchewan Canada
Debbie and Kathy, you and the entire family are in our prayers during this time of pain and loss. The Freedom In Christ Canada prayer team is remembering you and supporting you with love and prayer. May each of you sense God's eternal arms carrying you until we are all reunited in Glory.
Regina SK Canada
Deeply saddened to hear of Orville's passing. He was the Justice of the Peace that married us 24 years ago. In our meeting before our wedding, he told us that he wouldn't perform a quick service just to make our union legal. He wanted to ensure that our wedding was special and had lots of love. And it did. 1 Corinthians 13:4–8a
He was a very nice man. Deepest condolences to his family. Rest in peace, Mr. Nichols.
Regina SK Canada
So sorry to hear of Orville’s passing. I used to be a photographer photographing 35+ weddings a year. I often ran across Orville at these weddings. He was my favorite wedding commissioner and I always looked forward to his weddings.
Regina SK Canada
My condolences to the families on the loss of Orville. He was the Band Administrator of The Regina Police Junior Band as well as an excellent bus Driver who always found the time to be there to transport us on our Band trips.
Regina SK Canada
Such parting is both bitter and sweet. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We will be out of the province on the weekend, so we are sad we miss his celebration of life. Deepest sympathies to all.
White City Saskatchewan Canada
Orville entered my life right after I moved to Regina back in 1999. He married my wife and I in 2000. He married my daughter and son in law years later. Orville invited my to join him at the South Saskatchewan Woodworking Guild and I have been there ever since. When I was looking for a new church home after coming to Regina, he encouraged my wife Heather and I to come to Faith Baptist. Faith has also been our home ever since. Over the years we had coffees, chatted about tools and woodworking projects. One of my favourite things though would be to walk into church and upon seeing him get a huge over exaggerated hand shake. Such a kind and fun man. I’m so blessed to have known him and had a little bit of Orville in my life the last 20+ years. I’ll be glad to see him again one day down the road. Until then I’ll raise a cup of coffee to him and never forget the great guy he was!
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