Nigel Firbank THOMPSON

Nigel Firbank Thompson died peacefully, surrounded by his family, on March 21, 2019, at the age of 87. Nigel is survived by his wife, Heather (née Rogers); his daughters Rosemary Thompson (Pierre Boulet), Virginia Thompson (Robert de Lint) and son, Matthew Thompson (Tammi Norrison). Nigel was predeceased by his grandson, Maxime Nigel Boulet; parents, James and Constance Thompson; and brother, JC Thompson. Grandpa will be fondly remembered by grandchildren, Louis and Jasmine Boulet; Maaike, Lucie and Sasha de Lint; Will and Cooper Thompson. Born in Edmonton, Nigel attended Selwyn House and Trinity College School where he was head boy, and then attended McGill University, the University of Western Ontario and the Université de Grenoble.

A CA and MBA, Nigel spent his professional life working as a CFO and Senior Financial Officer.  Known for his integrity, wisdom, empathy and sense of humour he helped Canadian companies build major capital projects overseas in countries including Iran, Cote D’Ivoire, Chile, China, the Philippines, Argentina and Jordan.

Ahead of his time, Nigel was an optimist, a feminist, an entrepreneur and a devoted husband and father. He encouraged his wife, Heather Thompson to start her own business, the children’s wear and toy store The Yellow Balloon in Montreal and Ottawa.  He encouraged his daughter, Rosemary Thompson to follow her dreams of becoming a journalist (CBC and CTV) and arts leader (NAC and the Banff Centre).  He encouraged his daughter, Virginia Thompson and her husband Robert de Lint to establish an award-winning television production company, Vérité Films (Corner Gas, renegadepress.com, Incredible Story Studio).  He encouraged his son Matthew Thompson to become a restauranteur in Vancouver (Elwoods, The Five Point, The Cannibal Café, Park Drive). 

Through the ups and downs of an entrepreneurial life, Dad taught us resilience, and was our biggest champion.

Dad first set eyes on Mum when she was 17 and asked her brother, “Who is that pretty girl in the white hat?” It took him 10 years to finally marry her, and he greeted her every day over the course of their 55-year marriage with, “Hello, Pretty.” We are indebted to our parents for their devotion to each other and to us.

A man of extraordinary intellect and compassion, Dad told us we have one life to live and to live it well.

Our thanks to Dr. Noble, Dr. Hunter, Dr. Chen, Dr. Ronald and the Canadian Health Care system. Please consider donations to Oceanside Hospice https://oceansidehospice.com/support-us/donate-3/

A celebration of life will take place in June in Qualicum Beach, British Columbia.

Lives Cherished and Celebrated