Ernest Thomas “Nick” Carter
February 14, 1920 – February 17, 2014
It is with mixed emotions that we announce the passing of our father, grandpa and great grandpa. Profound sadness that he will no longer be part of our lives but knowing that he is no longer in pain and that he is reunited with his beloved wife, Olive, brings us comfort. Ernest was born in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England on Feb 14, 1920 ... his Royal Air Force buddies gave him the nickname "Nick". He came by his work ethics of honesty, reliability and high standards the old fashioned way - he worked hard for them, plus there was a streak of stubbornness! He started out his working life as a 14 year old greasing the railway tracks in his home town. To attend school past grade 8 in England cost money and it was a 'luxury' his family couldn't afford. Nick joined the RAF in 1938 and in 1940 was posted to Moose Jaw. This was just the beginning of over 70 years of loving the wide open prairies. He met the love of his life on a blind date and he and Olive were married in July of 1941. Nick was posted back to England in 1943 and off the pair went. In January 1946 their son Christopher was born and the decision was made to move back to Canada, so Dad was a "war groom". First stop was in Moose Jaw and then to Brooks, Alberta where in September 1951 their daughter Sharron was born. 1953 found the family back in Moose Jaw moving into a house built by Nick (and Olive) at 701 Hochelaga. Dad was well known for his mastery of construction, be it a house or a set of cabinets (without the aid of routers and electric nailers) and he built up a loyal clientele who kept him busy. In his spare time he coached little league baseball, curled at the old Hilltop, belonged to the Canadian Order of Foresters and served his church. In the early sixties he was instrumental in an addition being built to St. George's Anglican Church (now the YMCA Northwest Day Care) and for these efforts the new addition was named "Carter Hall". He also built the new rectory. And then in 1975 he found GOLF. He and Olive spent many winters in Mesa, Arizona building his reputation as a top notch putter ... where the game is won or lost! Sadly in 1994 Olive passed away, a great dance pair were parted. Dad continued living at "701", tending his tomatoes and golfing at least 5 times a week. In January 2001 he had a stroke which limited his physical abilities but not his mind. 2002 found him moving to the Bentley and in 2003 he moved in with his daughter. He started reading about the benefits of certain foods - blueberries, tomatoes, broccoli etc. and these became his new diet and contributed to his longevity and sharpness of memory ... dark chocolate was an everyday part of the routine! 2013 brought a move first to Extendicare and then to Providence Place. A big thank you goes to all the staff at both homes for the caring respect shown not only to Nick but his family. Nick was predeceased by his wife Olive; father William and mother Florence; brother Bill and his wife Jessie; Olive's family members Russ and Daryl Bacon, Lola Erickson, Darwood and Betty Bacon and his faithful canine buddy Josie. Surviving him are his brother-in-¬law Warren, four nieces and one nephew. Carrying on his legacy are his son Christopher and his wife Lindy, granddaughter Diana and her husband Jason, great-granddaughter Elley; and Sharron, his daughter and caregiver. The Funeral Service will be held at W.J.Jones & Son Chapel on Friday February 21, 2014 at 1:30 pm. The Reverend Deacon Arleen Champion will officiate. Interment will take place at the Bethany Cemetery at a later date. Memorial donations to the Sask. Heart & Stroke Foundation, 279 3rd Ave. N., Saskatoon, S7K 2H8, would be appreciated. In living memory of Nick, a memorial planting will be made by W.J. Jones & Son Funeral Home. Please sign the memorial register at website: www.wjjonesandson.com (Obituaries).