Doug Wayne Nichol was born in Regina on February 20, 1957. Mom always said that her and Dad just drove to Regina one day and picked out a baby and came home with their little bundle of joy. It was as easy as that. Doug was the oldest of us four and we all came pretty much one year apart after that. We all grew up on the farm along Highway 28 near Trossachs. Doug attended Trossachs School until Grade 7. He then attended school in Yellow Grass, where he later graduated in 1975. Doug never married or had children of his own, but I know he still hoped to find that right girl. Doug was more of a book worm than a farmer. His nose was always in a book. He would try to help Dad every once in a while but it just wasn't for him. He could have attended school forever-he loved learning and was a very sharp student. After Grade 12 Doug went on to University in Regina where he acquired two degrees. He lived on campus in those years and loved University life. Doug worked for Stats Canada in Regina for a while after University, but then programs were cut and he moved onto other things. He moved to Calgary where he took a bartenders course and worked for The Calgary Golf and Country Club for many years. Doug always had a great urge to travel and see the world, so he thought if he taught English as a 2nd Language in a foreign country, he could work and travel. This is what he did. Doug took a course at "The Language House" in Praugue, Czech Republic in 2006. His first job overseas was in China at Juijiang University in October of 2006. After that, he moved around and worked at different Universities throughout China. He liked to talk about some of his travels around the country during his breaks such as seeing The Great Wall of China and Beijing after the Olympics. He thought it was all so exciting and interesting. I was able to talk with one of his colleagues and she told me that his students respected him and looked after him. On Doug's birthday in February they had thrown him a party, which he loved. He was invited to attend a conference in another city with a few colleagues and enjoyed the get away. He loved being around people. His students and colleagues held a Funeral service with Doug's ashes last week and we are thankful for that. Doug was not a drinker but he loved his milk and Pepsi. If he was coming for a visit you had to have lots on hand. Jim worked for Coke at one time, so the feud was always on as to which was better, Pepsi or Coke. Well, one time at our farm, Doug was running low on Pepsi and we didn't have any more so Dave filled his bottle secretly with Coke. Doug drank "Pepsi" all night without a hitch. Dave had to tell him the next day, just to rub it in, that he drank Coke most of the night-and of course Doug was disgusted with him. We still chuckle about this today. Mom's perogies were another of his favourites. Mom being a good Polish girl always had them on hand. Doug would head back to Regina after a weekend at home with bags full of them. Doug was never very athletic but he was the best fan any team could have. He would watch any kind of sports and knew the stats on most of the players. The Saskatchewan Roughriders were his team, he loved football. He lived and breathed green. He wore their colors on every game day, where ever he was in the world. He was so proud to be a rider fan. I got to go to the first Grey Cup Regina hosted with Doug. It was a very windy, cold day but he was so happy to be a part of it all. He also enjoyed hockey and the Montreal Canadians. He would have been so proud of how far they got this year in playoffs. Doug liked to tease. His bantering and small digs to everyone was his way of showing his "love". He truly loved his nieces and nephews. He always was asking about them and remembered all the dates they were born. He brought many gifts back from China for the kids and us. And even our grandchildren received gifts. Some things we wondered what they were or if they were safe to consume, but it was all fine. Doug was always at all the family events he could get to, especially weddings. He was really disappointed when he had to miss because he was so far away. The Sosulski Family Reunions every other year were important to Doug, he didn't miss very many. A family gathering in Nelson, BC last year with Doug and all the cousins will be remembered as a very special one for all of us. Whenever Doug needed anything in Calgary, brother Jim and cousins Darwyn and Bruce would always step in to help. We would always spend time in Weyburn in the summer at Grandmas just to hang out with the Miles cousins. All of his cousins were very dear to him, even though he liked to joke and tease, he felt comfortable and at home with them all. Doug passed away at Bayonnaeor, Inner Mongolia, China on May 17, 2014 at the young age of 57 years. We are sad that Doug was so far away and we couldn't be with him in his passing, 57 is such a short life. You shocked us all the time with some of your jokes and fun loving ways but really shocked us on your passing in China. You will be remembered as our great big loveable guy who loved life and his family. Douglas was predeceased by his parents, Lyle and Jennie Nichol and an infant brother. He will be lovingly remembered by his sister, Susan (Jim) Scott of Wapella, and their family, Bill (Alicia) Scott (and Tristen) and Jayme Scott; sister, Sharon (David) Verot of Radville, and their family, Kelsi (Luke) Cooney (Harleigh and Conner), Justin (Danielle Furgason), Brett Verot (Riley Pawliw); brother, Jim Nichol (Tracy Leslie) of Red Deer, AB and family, Crystal Nichol (Dallas Kuzek) (and Dillon and Brooklyn), Candis (Tyson White); close family friend, Harold Davies (Debbie); aunts, Mary Barnes, Irene Knott and Shirley (Leyland) Johnson as well as other relatives and friends. A Memorial Service was held on Saturday, June 7 at 11:00 AM from Fletcher Funeral Chapel with Father Gerry Bauche officiating. Interment followed at Hillcrest Cemetery, Weyburn. Donations in memory of Doug may be made to Epilepsy Saskatoon, P.O. Box 7092, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, S7K 4J1. Condolences may be left at: www.fletcherfuneralchapel.com. Arrangements entrusted to Fletcher Funeral Chapel, Weyburn (306) 842-5432.
