Nick Howard Lloyd Oxner

Age 77, of Halifax, slipped away peacefully on Thursday, April 21, 2016, with Carolyn, Christopher and Andrew with him. Born in Halifax, June 9, 1938, he was the son Lloyd and Gladys (Skeet Simpson) Oxner. He is survived and will be dearly missed by his wife of 52 years , Carolyn (Tizard) and sons, Christopher of Halifax, and Andrew (Ali Sullivan) of Halifax; grandchildren Emily and Ty. Nick is also survived by a sister, Sharon (Lew Vittum) of New Hampshire; mother-in-law, Marion Tizard; sisters-in-law Dianne Glazebrook, Gerry (Carl) Weston, Sally (Jack) Dunn; and a brother-in-law Steve (Marlene) Tizard; and many nieces and nephews.

Nick graduated from Dalhousie University with a BComm degree and achieved his FIIC and CIB designations from the Insurance Institute of Canada during his career in General Insurance. He worked in Montreal after graduation and returned to Halifax to join the firm of Simpson-Hurst Ltd, where he worked and became the Vice-President of the firm until his retirement in 1998. He was known throughout the industry for his integrity and honesty.

Nick was a lover of sports all his life. He was an avid and accomplished curler. He won the Nova Scotia Branch Junior title many years, curling at Mayflower Curling Club and was a member of the team that represented Nova Scotia at the Brier Championship in 1970, with Ron Franklin, Peter Corkum and Stuart Cameron. In 1995 he represented Nova Scotia at the Canadian Legion Curling Championship in Gimli, Manitoba. Nick enjoyed golfing as a recreation, especially after he retired, and he managed to convince Carolyn that she should take up the sport so they could enjoy it together, which they did, playing at various clubs in the province, Vancouver and the US. But most of all, he loved sailing, he raced out of the Armdale Yacht Club on John Collins’ catamaran in his early years and enjoyed sailing his daysailer, the "BoSox" , out of the Bedford Yacht Club, for the pleasure and enjoyment of being on the water.

His love of sailing extended to Cruising with Carolyn in later years. Nick loved to travel and he and Carolyn spent many enjoyable days travelling to the UK, Europe, the Caribbean and the US and Canada. His transatlantic trips on the QEII and boat trip up the coast of Norway to Russia on the Hurtigrutten line were highlights for him.

Nick was very proud of the accomplishments of his sons. They got their love of sports "bug" from their father and Nick spent many days in the rink watching Christopher curl in the Juniors at Mayflower CC. and at the Waegwoltic Club watching Andrew play in the Nova Scotia Open. Together they watched baseball games, on TV and at baseball parks in the US and Canada and when the boys were young, he coached a Mosquitos little league team.

Nick volunteered his time with Meals on Wheels and mowed the lawn at Rockingham United Church. At home he was famous for making Brown Beans and morning porridge. He loved to read, take his dog for walks and sit quietly on the deck. He felt most comfortable spending time with his family and was so happy to have them close.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, April 26 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Snow’s Funeral Home, Lacewood Drive, Hfx. Funeral will be at Rockingham United Church, Flamingo Dr at 2 pm, Wednesday, April 27th, with reception to follow in the Church Hall. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Laing House, Halifax; the Mental Health Foundation of Canada; or Rockingham United Church.