MERIGOMISH – Nichols “Nick” Grant Williams71, Merigomish, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on June 16, 2019. He developed a malignant brain tumour and over the past 4 months faced it bravely. Nick was born September 23, 1947 in Antigonish. He grew up in Barney’s River Station and attended the local one-room school before attending East Pictou Rural High. He excelled at athletics and was a star basketball player. At East Pictou he started dating his ‘pussy-cat’ Linda MacDonald – his soulmate and the love of his life. They were married in 1970 and spent 49 years wonderful years together. He was a member of Barney’s River Presbyterian Church, Kenzieville. Nick was a 50-year jewel holder of Hudson Lodge No. 77, A.F & A.M., Thorburn. Nick went on to attend the Maritime Forest Ranger School, which set him up for his career in forestry. He worked in the Woodlands division at Scott Paper and subsequently Kimberly Clarke until his retirement in 2004. He made lifelong friends through his work and earned the respect of his co-workers for his good humour and fair mindedness. Nick continued working in forestry with his own small business: Drybrook Forest Products. In addition to harvesting operations and tree planting, he also made maple syrup, furniture, did windmill consulting, and sawed lumber. His priority in life and the source of his greatest pride was his family. He was a beloved and cherished husband, father, son and brother. He was a role model for strong work ethic, kindness, generosity, and helping others. Through his example he inspired his three sons to pursue careers as medical doctors, and he drew immense pride from their successes in their profession. In his retirement, he and Linda have enjoyed extensive travel together to Cuba and throughout Europe. He is survived by his wife Linda (MacDonald); sons, Jason (Alicia), Dale (Ellen), and Blair (Sarah); grandchildren Ayla, Emily, Carley, Benson, Anna, Grayden, Henry, and Fiona; sister Nonie (Stuart) MacLeod; mother-in-law, Joyce MacDonald; sister-in-law, Jane (Donnie) Robertson; brothers-in-law, Norval (Linda) MacDonald and Steven MacDonald; devoted friend, Joe Simpson; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, Grant and Alma (Nichols) Williams; father-in-law, Norval MacDonald. The family will receive visitors 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., and with Masonic service at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18th in P. & K. MacDonald Funeral Home, New Glasgow. Funeral service will be held Wednesday, June 19th at 11 a.m. in Barney’s River Presbyterian Church, Kenzieville with Rev. Dr. J Kenneth MacLeod officiating. Interment will be in Glen Bard Cemetery, James River. Donations may be made in Nick’s memory to The Nick Williams Foundation, P.O. Box 33, Merigomish, NS B0K 1G0, a charitable foundation established in his name to continue his legacy of generosity.