Apr 14, 1919 - Jan 15, 2018
George Nissen joined his family in heaven, after passing away on January 15, 2018 at the North Island Hospital in Campbell River.
He was born in Denmark, on April 14, 1919 and immigrated to Dickson, Alberta with his family in 1928. George went to school and later worked in the Dickson area until the early part of WWII when he spent two years in the Canadian Armed Forces.€ After his discharge, he moved to Edmonton where he met and was married to Violet Murphy in 1945. George and Vi then moved to Campbell River, spent a summer on a fire tower then both worked at the Willows hotel.
George would say, "I came to Campbell River in 1946 and never found my way out."€ George and Vi became an important part of the development of Campbell River. They owned several businesses including a corner grocery, a florist shop and a sporting goods store. Active in the community, they were respected and loved by many.
George enjoyed the outdoors; fishing, hunting and just being with nature. He had a broad knowledge of the world, especially plants and animals, and his skill with plants defined, "green thumb". Vi and he, traveled extensively in western North America and spent parts of many winters in California and Arizona where they made many new life-long friends.
Later in life, he would usually play crib with his special group of friends on Tuesday and Wednesday where he even celebrated a "29" hand.€
George is survived by two sisters-in-law, Kay Nickerson of Campbell River and Margaret Nissen of Dickson, Alberta, several nieces, nephews and many friends.
George was predeceased by his wife Violet in 2011, and by all his siblings, Christine, John, Hans, Margaretha, Sofia, Lydia and Helen, as well as many good friends.
George lived on his own in his Rockland condo till a few months before he passed away, looking after himself "just fine" with a little help from some close family and friends. He very much enjoyed the little Rockland condo community. His smile, sense of humour, and genuine kindness will be missed by his many friends and family who endearingly just called him "George" or "Unc".
€A gathering of family and friends, to remember George's life, will be held on March 10th.
€Donations in memory may be made to Operation Smile Canada, a charity George valued and supported.