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NICOLL

Robert Francis

April 27, 1925 - March 31, 2013


Community volunteer, committed Christian, respected entrepreneur and proud husband, father and grandfather: Francis Nicoll passed away peacefully at Heritage House, Stettler Hospital and Care Centre, on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013. He was just a month short of his 88th birthday. Francis was the second child and only son born to Robert A. (Bob) and Phoebe (McDonald) Nicoll, who farmed north of Bindloss, Alberta. He attended Bryant, the local one-room school, and then boarded at Camrose Lutheran College for grades 11 and 12. After graduation, Francis moved to Calgary to work. While there, he became involved with the Young People's group at Central United Church, where he developed many lifelong friendships - the most important of which was with Leona K. Ling, who became his wife in 1949. Their elder two children, Lea and Glen, were born in Calgary but, in 1957, the family moved to Stettler when Francis and Leona went into business with Pauline and Frank Avery (also Young People's members). Their younger two sons, Mark and Paul, were born there. Francis continued to work as a self-employed businessman in East-Central Alberta until his retirement from Sutton Landmark Realty in the fall of 2006. He was best-known for his integrity and for his ability to network and connect with others. Francis was a strong community supporter, donating his time and talents - both informally, as a citizen and, more formally, through his participation in community organizations. These included Stettler United Church, Handibus Society (Stettler & District), Rotary Club of Stettler, Christmas Hamper Project, Chamber of Commerce (now Stettler Regional Board of Trade & Community Development), Stettler & District Music Festival Association, Apollo Masonic Lodge No. 27, Gideons International in Canada, and Central Alberta Realtors' Charitable Foundation. Francis and Leona worked as a team, not only in family life and in business, but in visiting their sick, lonely or bereaved neighbours and giving a helping hand whenever they could. Fittingly, they were named Citizens of the Year in 1999. Francis is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Leona, and by his children, Lea Nicoll Kramer (Dean) of Edmonton and Mark Nicoll (Sandy Hermiston), also of Edmonton; grandchildren, Brennan Hermiston Nicoll, Jessica Nicoll (Vishaal Rajani), Krysten Nicoll (Tim Houseman), and Ross Hermiston Nicoll; sister, Margaret Kinniburgh of Lethbridge; his McDonald family cousins; other relatives, dear friends, and his dedicated caregivers at Heritage House. He was predeceased by his infant sister, his parents, and by his sons, Paul (2008) and Glen (2009). A memorial service to commemorate Francis' life will be held at Stettler United Church on Wednesday, April 10, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the Canadian Amyloidosis Support Network (www.thecasn.org) or to Stettler United Church Building Fund. Brennen Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.O. Box 193, Stettler, Alberta T0C 2L0 (403-742-3315) have been entrusted with the care and arrangements. Condolences can be forwarded to the family by visiting their website, www.brennenfuneralhome.com.



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