Archibald Nelson (right) is presented with a gold watch by Norman Babey after 25 years of service as Reeve of Brittania.
Nelson: "Archie" Archibald Armstrong Nelson of the Rex District passed away at the Paradise Hill Hospital on Wednesday, November 6th, 1974, at the age of 91 years.
He was born at Tobermore, Derry County, North Ireland, on June 28th, 1883, and came to Canada in 1907.
Mr. Nelson served as Justice of the Peace for 40 years; was on the Blackrock and Rex School Board for many years; was Reeve of the RM of Britannia for 25 years; Coucillor of the R. M. of Britannia for 8 years and was on The Lloydminster Hospital Board for many years.
He leaves to mourn his passing: two daughters: Joyce (Mrs. Orville Callfas) of the Rex District and Sheila Calhoun of Hamilton, Ontario; three step-sons and two step-daughters; three grandchildren and one great grandchild; nine step grandchildren; two brothers; Marcus and Albert of Paradise Hill, Saskatchewan; several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by 3 sisters and two brothers and by his first wife: Edith in 1960 and by second wife: Kathleen in 1969.
Funeral Services for the late "Archie" Archibald Armstrong Nelson were conducted from St. John’s Anglican Church, Lloydminster, on Saturday, November 9th,1974, at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend William Hill officiating.
Hymns sung were: "Rock of Ages" and ‘Abide With Me" with a solo The Lord’s Prayer sung by Doris Allen. The Honorary Pallbearers were the Messrs: William light, Frank Hewitt, Erwin Henning, Herbert Gould, Ernie Holman, and Bill Franz.
The Active Pallbearers were the Messrs: Emery Nelson, Pete Mann, Roy Hastings, Harold Nickless, Mark Weighill, and Norman Babey.
Interment followed in the Northminster Cemetery.
The funeral Arrangements were administered by McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta.
[article courtesy of Joyce Callfas]
By
George Baynton
Archie Nelson of the Rex District, a former Councillor and long-time Reeve of the R.M. of Britannia, passed away on November 6, 1974, the day when the electors of the municipality which he had served so faithfully were electing a successor to the one who had succeeded him. If he were available for comment, he might have said characteristically that an all-seeing Providence had arranged these events in the nature of things!
Archie assumed the office of Councillor for Division 6 at the 1915 January Council Meeting, which was the beginning of the sixth year in the R.M.' s existence as a corporate body, and he was a contemporary and an associate of the pioneers who organized and established the R.M. of Britannia No. 502. Accordingly he was a 'walking history book' not only of Lloydminster and District but also of the people who gave it such a colourful personality.
Furthermore, the scope of Archie's public service not only encompassed the early years but the tough years of the depression when most everyone had nothing. When one considers his long service (almost thirty-five years), and the varied difficulties of those years, it becomes apparent that Archie not only had a way about him which appealed to people but also a great deal of good judgment which wore well with the electors of his area.
According to Archie, he and Joe Carmody had sort of a 'family compact'. Joe wouldn't run against him as long as he was a member of the Council. In 1952, however, the situation changed; Joe was defeated as Councillor, and so, in 1953, he ran against Archie who really didn' t campaign very much. Near the end of the campaign Archie realized that he wasn't going to make it, but his response was that he had served the municipality to the best of his ability for many years and if they didn't want him any longer, that was alright. He was not a man to hold rancor.
Archie also served on the Lloydminster Hospital Board for twenty-one years, and was secretary-treasurer of the Blackrock School District for many years. He was also a Justice of the Peace, and in 1965 he was presented with an Award of Merit at the
S.A.R.M. Convention in Saskatoon.
To the writer, Reeve Archibald Nelson was a modest, honest and kindly gentleman with a sense of fairness and a sly and delightful sense of humor. Obviously it is almost needless to add that his homely philosophy was uplifting to all who met and knew him.