Nicholas "Nick" Alexander Gordon Rose

He was the glue that held us together, the anchor that kept us grounded, the class clown when we needed to laugh, and the dependable man when we all needed him. His work ethic and drive for personal growth and success were admired by all around him. He was disciplined, focused, and oh so witty. He had a tough exterior but a heart so big and full of empathy. His entire purpose was being a devoted and loyal husband to his wife Katie and a present and loving father to his two boys, Luke and Henry. His family was his everything; he woke up every day excited to go to work doing what he loved and come home to the family and life he had built.

Forever loved and missed by his dad, Chris (partner Zoe); his little sister, Caitlin (fiancé Chris); his Aunt Shelley; Uncle Kirk (wife Jen); Uncle Bob (wife Cam); and Uncle Craig. His cousins: Dakota (fiancée Katy), Curtis (wife Jess), Meaghan, Alley (husband Connor), Hayley (partner Tim), Austin, Cameron (wife Sam), and Taylor. His mother-in-law, Carol; his father-in-law, Lorne; and his brother-in-law, Jonathan—along with the extended family, including all aunts, uncles, and cousins of the Wood/Faulkner side. He was the fun uncle to Sidney and Joshua Moody (parents Alley and Connor Moody), Gwen and Tessa Mayer (parents Matt and Amy Mayer).

He was welcomed with open arms by his late mother, Jody Rose; his paternal grandparents, Bruce and Lillian Rose; and his maternal grandparents, George and Joan Coulter. They all loved him more than words can describe. It brings peace to the family knowing he is surrounded by the ones who raised him and loved him from birth.

He purposefully surrounded himself with a circle of people who are the truest and purest friends someone can find. He didn't let just anyone in, but once you were, he would do anything for you. You know who you are, and he loves you so much.

In his own words, he was born to "swing a hammer," and that could not be truer. His passion for carpentry turned into a successful business that he and Katie built from the ground up. He left a piece of himself in every home he went into, creating spaces where people's dreams came to life. His talent in his industry was unmatched; he formed special connections with his clients and trusting relationships with the trades and suppliers he worked with.

He was content in life, living in the home he bought with Katie fifteen years ago in Aurora—over time renovating, upgrading, and adding on to make it just right for his family. He is present in every room, leaving his everlasting mark on the house he made a home. He spent his free time playing hockey, golfing, hanging in the hot tub with Dakota, and watching (and betting on) sports. Some of his favourite memories were going to Buffalo Bills games with Connor, Matt, and friends. He spent so much time with his boys—taking them to the park, on Costco snack hauls, bike rides, Fortnite gaming sessions, wrestling matches, and soccer games. You name it, he was there. He always made time for his people, making daily phone calls or sending a text. If you called him, he would always answer; if you had a problem, he would fix it without a second thought.

Katie was—and forever will be—his soulmate. From the moment they met, he knew she was the one. If you didn't believe in soulmates before, you would when you met them. They were best friends, business partners, and life partners. They worked as a team through everything. Nicholas would call her countless times throughout the day and FaceTime if he was away on weekends. They laughed together constantly and were always supportive of one another. They gravitated toward each other in a crowded room; if you were lucky enough to witness their love, you could see it plain as day. Love is never easy, but they made it look that way.

His favourite escape was Lorne and Carol's cottage at Big Cedar Lake. He loved fishing with Jonny and the boys and driving the pontoon boat over to Sandy Bay. He spent hours upon hours with Luke and Henry in Sand Town and just as much time in the forest cutting wood with Lorne—slow mornings in the sunroom having coffee with Carol, playing board games with her and the boys, and quiet moments with Katie where they could get away and relax from the stresses of being business owners. He was truly content there.

Nicholas grew up in a house filled with love. His dad taught him how to be strong, how to stick up for himself, the importance of working hard, and the meaning of showing up for his family. His dad was his idol and always the first person he turned to for life or business advice. His mom taught him how to love deeply, how to be gentle and nurturing, and to live life with his heart first. She shaped him into the father he was, and he leaned on her as he entered the stage of being a husband and dad. Nicholas and his sister were lucky enough to be more than siblings—they were each other's best friends. A true yin to her yang. When logic needed to meet emotion, when funny met serious, when tears met laughter, they were the perfect balance of each other. The unbreakable bond they shared only strengthened as time went on. Together, they cared for their mom and grieved the loss of her. Nicholas and Caitlin were always taught to be true to themselves and to work hard, knowing they would be rewarded in life. They were never without love and affection and leaned on each other through all of life's challenges—together, the four of them. Life changed, but the love for each other never did, and never will.

We could write about Nicholas forever, because he means everything to us. So, we will just say goodbye for now. We will be missing and loving you until we see you again. Katie and the boys will forever carry your legacy on. We promise to make you proud.

Crack open a room-temperature grapefruit Nutrl and enjoy your golf round, Nicholas.

Love, Katie, Luke, Henry, Dad, Caitlin, and your family and friends.

Memorial Visitation will be held at Thompson Funeral Home, 530 Industrial Parkway South, Aurora, ON L4G6W8, CA, on June 23, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.