Colin was born July 19, 1926, in Brighouse, Yorkshire, England, to Harold and Marion Culpan Nicholson. At eight months, the family moved to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, then to Salt Lake City, Utah, when he was fourteen.
During his senior year at West High School, Colin was called upon to help support his family following the deployment of his older brother. Colin was able to secure work at Utah Power & Light Co., where he worked a rotating shift of days, afternoon, and nights. Colin attempted to keep up with his studies but found the demand for a full-time job and school extremely difficult. Colin left school without obtaining a high school diploma but was later awarded an honorary high school diploma from West High at 90 years old.
Colin was inducted into the armed forces of the United States on December 11, 1944. Upon completing basic training, he was assigned to the 3rd Battalion 186th Infantry and deployed to the Asia Pacific, where he served for two years in the Philippines and Japan. Colin was honorably discharged on November 22, 1946. Upon his return, he resumed his career at the Utah Power & Light Co., where he worked until retirement.
He met his wife Sarah (Sally) Pearce, a nurse cadet, on a blind date. It was love at first sight, according to him. They were married three months later, on November 27, 1947, and later sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Sally, three of his seven children: a twin daughter Connie, a son Steven, and a daughter Diane. He is survived by his sister Annie Colice and his remaining children Paul, Kathleen, Melanie, and Hal, 25 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
All services will be held at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3401 S. Highland Dr., Salt Lake City. There will be a viewing on Thursday, December 16 from 6:00-8:00 pm., and an additional viewing Friday, December 17 from 10:00-10:45 am. The memorial service will be held on Friday, December 17 at 11:00 am.
