Retired judge John R. Nichols received the 2012 Joe Casey Humanitarian award.
Digby Mayor Ben Cleveland presented Nichols with the award at a ceremony on the Digby waterfront on Tuesday, June 26.
Digby-Annapolis MLA Junior Theriault was also on hand for the award cerermony as was Casey’s family—his wife Vera, his daughter Linda Walker and his sons Mike and Duncan.
Cleveland says the results of Nichols’ efforts are visible all around town.
“He is a man who has, for decades, quietly gone about his business making this a more vibrant and active community,” said the mayor. “You just have to look around Digby to see the organizations he has contributed to: he was responsible for the successful petition to get the yacht club its royal charter, he was a founding member of the Admiral Digby Museum, he helped with the curling club. I’m glad we have finally recognized him.”
Nichols practiced law in Digby and served as a provincial court judge for 20 years from 1977 to 1997. Nichols served as president of the Digby County Liberal Association for seven years and also served as secretary and vice president.
Nichols held many roles in many community organizations including president of the Digby board of trade, president of the Digby branch of the Victorian Order of Nurses, secretary treasurer of the Digby Branch of the Nova Scotia Lung Association, president of the Nova Scotia Lung Association, an executive member of the Canadian Lung Association, executive member and then secretary of the Nova Scotia Provincial Judges Association, secretary of the Western Counties Barristers Association, president of the Naval League of Canada and treasurer of the Hillgrove Flying Club. He was treasurer of the Admiral Digby Library and Historical Society for 10 years starting in 1966. It was the ADLHS that nominated Nichols.
He has also sat on the Town of Digby planning and advisory committee for 27 years, since 1985.
Peter Turnbull, town councilor and chair of the nomination committee says Nichols has made a great contribution to community life.
“He has been active in so many organizations and continues to be active,” says Turnbull. “He has done a lot of work over his lifetime in the community for the betterment of the town.”
jriley@digbycourier.ca
