Orvald Nicholson

Orvald Nicholson was born December 12, 1934, and tragically left us October 31, 2023. Predeceased by his parents, Otto and Dorothy, and siblings Arthur, Bob, David, and Alice. Survived by his wife and best friend, Kathy, who he loved, cherished, and adored for 43 years. Also survived by 4 children from his first marriage; Denise (Peter), Juanita, Michelle (Trent), and Riun (Leslie) and an additional 5 children after marrying Kathy; Denise (Ken), Susan (Ron), Bob (Tracy), Karen (Ralph) and Diane. Treasured by 12 Grandchildren and 3 Great Grandchildren.

As a young teenager, while riding a bicycle home from school, Orv was hit by a drunk driver. As a result, he was hospitalized for two years. Doctors didn’t think he would walk again but he proved them wrong.

Orv wanted to serve his country and enlisted in the army but unfortunately, was discharged due to his physical disabilities from his accident.

Once home, Orv started mink ranching but soon realized this was not for him. He became a H-D mechanic and went to work with Dawson in Vancouver. He then ventured into his own business in logging for a short time. Later he would partner with Ron and Steven Bregoliss, constructing microwave sites, ski lifts and was awarded with the construction of the longest and highest double ski lift at Tod Mountain. The company also was contracted with Lafarge Cement plant in Kamloops. With many of the projects throughout the province, he became a pilot and flew an amphibian. One day, after flying through a storm in the canyon, he landed and decided that “man was not meant to fly”, parked the plane and called it a day. While working in the crushing business, a friend showed Orv the gold that accumulated in the bottom of the equipment. He thought he would “dabble” in it at a later time.

He formed Nicholson Transport in Kamloops, having a fleet of trucks, providing lowbed trucking all over BC. He later purchased two Caterpillar dozers, hired operators, and put them to work at Mica Dam. With this project completed, he started work at RivQuip where he became Regional Manager for 2 western provinces. He was located to Edmonton for easier management of the various branches.

Orv and Kathy decided on an early retirement and in 1988 sold their home in Edmonton and bought an RV to travel North America. During their travels, Orv got involved in the processing and marketing of an organic fertilizer. He developed the product, got it ready for sale, however the product worked too efficiently. Larger fertilizer companies did not want growers to use it which put an end to that project.

While travelling in Salem, Oregon, they met John who would become a very close friend. John’s business was the buying and selling of used heavy equipment. With Orv’s talent in repairing various aggregate equipment, he later became a business partner where he located and purchased crushers, conveyors and whole plants and once they refurbished them, were resold.

John was on a project designing a gold processing plant and invited Orv to help install it on location.

After that, the love for gold mining was relit and Orv decided to find some gold properties to mine for himself. He mined in California, Nevada, northern and southern British Columbia. During this time, he did freelance consulting and assays for gold miners. His interest in mining continued in his 80’s.

Orv loved listening to good old country music, his 5 o’clock toddy time with a single malt scotch, enjoyed listening to old radio programs on Sirius XM, and loved Kathy’s cooking.

Orv brought love, joy, and laughter to everyone he met. He was funny, silly at times, and a brilliant man who had so many stories to share. Orv is so dearly loved by his family and friends and is profoundly missed by all who had the honour to know him.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 11:00 am at Schoening Funeral Service, Kamloops. Those that cannot attend in person may watch the live-stream at:

https://funeraweb.tv/en/diffusions/82123