Nicolas “Nick” Jan Bolwyn went to be with Jesus on November 23, 2023.

Nick was born in Apeldoorn, Gelderland Province, Netherlands, on August 14, 1948. He was the second of four boys born to his parents, Harm “Harry” and Jannigje “Jackie” Bolwyn. As an infant and toddler, he lived briefly with his parents and older brother in Deventer, Netherlands. In July of 1953, when Nick was only 4 years old, the family boarded a Holland American cruise ship set for Canada. The family might have left earlier had it not been for the birth of Nick’s second brother, Hilco, as well as the serious sickness that Nick and mom contracted that delayed the immigration date.

The ship landed in Hallifax, and from there the family boarded a train west to Belview, Alberta, where they settled into a one bedroom for the cold winter of 1953/54. Nick’s dad was a baker, so even though housing was less than desired the family always had something to eat. The following summer of 1954 the family moved from Belview, Alberta to Cranbrook, B.C.

The biggest challenge that the family faced was learning English. Of the four boys, Nick was the best student and English came easy to him. He also had the quieter, more deliberate temperament required for school.

The Bolwyn house was a boy’s house. School was a necessity, but fun and games were preferred. Summers were spent at the large Gyro outdoor swimming pool, only a block from the house. Although the water was cold, many hours were spent there. Vacation time meant trips to Wasa Lake and Fairmont Hot Springs. Nick’s interest in sports was minimal but he did win the high school pole vault championship.

He graduated from high school in 1967 and started to work in sales before going to the coast to become a cabinet maker. Nick excelled in his field and took great pride in his work. His career eventually took him back to Alberta and then to Vancouver Island, where he started up his own cabinet shop.

Of the four boys, Nick was the ladies man. He was married several times and had 6 children. Jody lives in Red Deer; Jason in Cranbrook, Nicole in Victoria; Todd and Tara in Victoria and Catarina in Edmonton. His grandkids are Alisha, Jordan, Tiana, Madison, Matthew and Zachary.

The last several years of Nick’s life were plagued by COPD and diabetes. It was also a time when he renewed his faith in Jesus Christ. This was a time when he was blessed to have Kathleen Ross, a neighbor and special friend who helped him through this final chapter of his life. Nick will be laid to rest in Cranbrook next to his mom and dad, and his brother Ken.

There will be a funeral service on January 27, 2024, at Potters Hands Ministries, 5202 – 53 Ave, Red Deer, AB, at 1:00 PM. Condolences to Nick’s family may be emailed to meaningful@telus.net. Please indicate “Bolwyn” in the subject line.

Arrangements in care of

Meaningful Memorials Funeral Service

A locally owned cremation and funeral provider

serving Red Deer and all of Central Alberta

587-876-4944

 

 

• Date : 2024-01-17
• Location : Meaningful Memorials Funeral Service