Stanley James Nicholson

Stanley James Nicholson, born in Edinburgh in 1937, was one of Scotland's finest exports. He passed away with family by his side in West Vancouver on February 18, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of engineering precision, quiet generosity, and characteristically sharp Scottish wit.

Stan came of age during the Second World War, growing up amid the close-knit community of neighbours at Wauchope Square in Edinburgh. He inherited a warm sense of humour and a love of music from his mother, Lizzie (Banks) and a fascination with numbers and a calling toward shipbuilding from his father, Duncan. Despite a seven-year age gap, Stan and his younger brother Duncan enjoyed games of hide and seek in their youth and shared a musical bond over piano and guitar and would perform the classics for their friends.

Stan attended Leith Nautical College, Edinburgh, graduating in engineering and naval architecture. He apprenticed at Robb's of Leith Shipbuilders before being called to serve in 1962 with the Cameronian Scottish Rifles, working in British Intelligence across the Middle East.

In 1964, Stan emigrated to Canada, making his way to Vancouver to build a distinguished career in naval architecture and shipbuilding. He worked at Allied Shipbuilders, Burrard Yarrows, and Versatile Pacific Shipbuilders, with a portfolio that spanned tugboats, British Columbia ferries, and celebrated Canadian icebreakers — among them the Terry Fox and the Pierre Radisson. Following an early retirement, he started a successful contracts and consulting business in West Vancouver.

Stan met his future wife, Carolyn (Wright), at his first Vancouver flat on Matthews Avenue. He accepted her homemade chocolate cake and she accepted his proposal of marriage. They married in May 1968 and built their life together in a log home near her family. Stan was always a supporter of Carolyn's creative pursuits and a devoted son-in-law to Gladys and Fraser Wright. In 1970, their daughter Adrienne was born, and Stan delighted in challenging her mind at every turn — with complex puzzles, clever riddles, and the occasional front-lawn obstacle course.

Over the years, the family made many trips to the United Kingdom to visit friends and Stan's family in Scotland. Kauai became a beloved retreat for rest and reconnection in winters, while a cabin in the Pemberton Valley offered the family years of outdoor adventure and an escape from city life.

The Nicholson family expanded in 2000 when Adrienne married John Chow, and Stan embraced the role of honorary grandfather and "Baba" to many of the Chow nieces and nephews. He was a devoted mentor to his own grandchildren, Alexa (born 2004) and Mateo (born 2007), sharing with them his lifelong passions for soccer and golf, as both children developed their own love for those sports. He made equally sure to pass on his business acumen, and above all, his sense of humour, particularly seen in his editorial cartoons inspired by the news of the day.

Even as his health declined following a stroke in 2017, Stan remained his characteristically resilient self. Stan's long-standing friendship and physiotherapy with Andreja gave him the strength and determination to maintain some mobility after his stroke, but he often remarked that as long as he had his mind and friends by his side, he would be just fine. True to his word, he gave others his full attention without ever asking for it in return. He will be remembered for having a joke ready for every occasion and a mind that never stopped working on the next puzzle or investment.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to care givers, Cheryl and Nicola, who ensured Stan remained connected to the world he loved — lunches with friends, meetings, and visits to the dog park. They are equally grateful for the kind care he received from the staff and new friends at Hollyburn House during his final months.

Stan is survived by his beloved wife Carolyn; his daughter Adrienne and her husband John Chow; and his grandchildren Alexa and Mateo. Stan's Scottish family includes his brother Duncan Nicholson and sister-in-law Marilyn, their daughter Samantha and her husband David Swan, and Samantha's children Tristan and Jemma, as well as cousins Margaret Butters and Alison Crowhurst.

In the spirit of Robbie Burns and Auld Lang Syne...No matter how far we travel or how much time passes, we carry the memories of friends and loved ones with us.

In keeping with Stan's wishes, there will be no formal service. In his memory, the family welcomes donations to the Union Gospel Mission, a cause close to Stan's heart.