Brad William Nicholson

It is with heavy hearts we write these words.  Our beloved Bradley William Nicholson passed away suddenly at his home near Shoal Lake, Manitoba on Friday, April 28, 2023 at the age of 38 years. 

Brad was the best Christmas gift, arriving on December 19, 1984, the second of Bill and Teri Nicholson’s five children.  He and his siblings grew up on the family farm west of Shoal Lake, with their cousins across the road and their paternal grandparents next door.  Harvest lunches in the field and combine rides with Dad and Grandpa planted the love of farming in him early on.  He played hockey, curled and really enjoyed baseball once he got over sitting in the outfield blowing on dandelion fluff during T-ball.  Swimming lessons at the lake were always a special time. The ancient little camper trailer was hauled to town for two weeks, where Brad could be a “town kid,” riding his bike and challenging his brother Rory, cousins, and friends to see who could be the last one standing on the floating raft in the swimming hole.  He was involved in the Shoal Lake 4-H Club, the McConnell Beef Club, and the Decker Pony Club. 

Brad attended Shoal Lake School for his primary and secondary education then completed two years at the University of Manitoba before coming home to the farm to help out when his Dad was ill. He then graduated from Culinary Arts at Assiniboine Community College in Brandon and was part of the first class to train at the new campus on the North Hill.  After a brief stint as a cook, Brad decided to return to the farm for good and just cook for family and friends. He was the fourth generation of Nicholsons to farm this land.  He loved hunting with his good friends and, occasionally, his sister Jacquie. He could also be found gardening, playing board games, and sprawling on the couch with his cat, Lucky (so named because she was lucky that Brad had rescued her).  His Uncle Mike introduced him to dinosaurs as a child and Dungeons and Dragons as a teen, which turned into a lifelong love of both.  He also had a lifelong love of reading – his Grade 1 teacher once said that instead of working on an art project she would find him reading the newspaper that was underneath. Brad learned how to play the saxophone in high school band and took it up again in recent years to participate in impromptu family concerts with his siblings.  In July, 2022 Brad and his Mom took a memorable trip to Scotland and England to explore where his ancestors came from and visit castles made famous in Braveheart and The Last Kingdom. The highlight for him was climbing to the top of the William Wallace monument.

Brad loved his immediate and extended family deeply, always dropping everything to help out, and was generous to a fault. His size, long hair and bushy beard may have presented an intimidating appearance to those who didn’t know him but, to those who did, he was a teddy bear…a gentle giant.

Brad was predeceased by his grandparents, Art and Claris Nicholson and Jack and Doreen Waddell, and cousin, Kari Ann Yanick. 

Left to cherish his memory are Brad’s parents Bill (Barb) and Teri; his brothers Rory and Rick; his sisters Jacquie (Rob) and Kelsey (Christian) along with aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends. We will forever miss his dry wit, quiet intelligence and waiting impatiently for him as he was always the last to arrive at any family event.

Brad’s funeral will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 13th at the Shoal Lake Community Hall with Rev. Chad McCharles officiating. A private internment will follow at the Shoal Lake Municipal Cemetery. Donations in Brad’s memory may be made to the Shoal Lake Community Foundation Inc. or the charity of your choice.  

*The Funeral Service will be livestreamed. Please see the link below to Access the link*