It is with profound sadness that we share the news that Oties Garfield Nickerson passed away gracefully on the morning of Monday, June 15th, with his bride of 66 years, Kori Nickerson (nee Thompson) by his side. Their love is endless and evergreen.
In true Papa form, he spent his final days surrounded in love and family.
Oties is survived by his wife, Kori, their children Ken (Viola), Yvonne (Gordon) and Cynthia (Michael), sisters Shirley (John) Coates and Carole (Lloyd) Gallant, his beloved grandchildren and their partners Katherine (Lee), Jessica (Eric), Erik, Adam (Jack), Tara (Nathan), Emilia (John), and Abigail and great-grandchildren Ethan, Levi, June, Edith and Finnley. Predeceased by parents, Lawrence and Willa (nee Sullivan) Nickerson; brothers, Alan Nickerson, Gerald Nickerson, Charles Nickerson, and sister Rosemary (Bernard) Decoste.
Born in Petitcodiac, New Brunswick, Oties developed his incredible work-ethic at a youthful age on the lobster boats which carried through to his tenure at Inter-City Papers in Ontario. Oties and Kori created a wonderful life together and raised a loving family in Mississauga before spending the last 29 years enjoying retirement in St. Marys. To those fortunate enough to meet him, his heartfelt kindness, endless patience, and unwavering dedication to loved ones radiated like sunlight—warm, generous, and impossible to miss. No one returned from Nova Scotia without fresh lobster for Oties. His love of coffee and the Toronto Maple Leafs were eternal and bittersweet. In recent years, his obsession with flying led him to earn Captain status on Flight Simulator. For his grandchildren, memories of the hours spent wandering the toy aisles, singing along to classic country tunes, east coast road trips and hugs where you knew he would never let go first, will be cherished for years to come. He brought light to the darkest days, a joy to the mundane, recognition to the insignificant, and a smile that you could feel from a mile away.
The family will hold a private gathering in the coming days. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes a donation to the charity of the donor’s choice.
