Obituary of Canon Nicholas Wallace Prosser

Canon Nicholas Wallace Prosser, BA, LTh, MDiv- 91, passed away February 13, 2003, in Windsor Elms. Born in New Harbour, NL, he was the third eldest of seven sons of the late Samuel and Lillian (Hill) Prosser. Following teacher's college training (Bishop Field) in St. John's, he taught school for several years in Southern Newfoundland communities. In 1937, he entered Queens Divinity College, St. John's, graduating with honors, four years later; then ministered mainly in Belleoram Parish, where he oversaw a 28 church charge. In 1946-47, he furthered his training at Trinity College (Anglican), University of Toronto, before going on to Durham University (England) the following year for masters level training, studying under Dr. Michael Ramsay, who later became Archbishop of Canterbury. After returning from overseas, Nicholas engaged, for seven years, in an extensive ministry out of Harbour Breton Parish, with 14 preaching points. He then transferred to the Diocese of Nova Scotia, serving congregations in Berwick-Auburn, and Glace Bay. In 1963, he moved to the Diocese of New Brunswick, where he ministered at St. Jude's Parish in West Saint John. Following regular retirement he was appointed regional Anglican chaplain, with responsibility for the 3 Saint John area hospitals, plus a number of nursing homes. For outstanding work in this field, plus his previous extensive and varied accomplishments, Nicholas was honored, as a Canon, by the church. Shortly after retirement he moved to Nova Scotia, to live with his daughter and her family. During his long ministry, spanning five decades, his special congregational interests included youth work, church music, ecumenical affairs, and new church planting. He designed all the new churches and church schools, mainly in Newfoundland, built under his leadership. In the realm of hobbies, he was an avid outdoorsman, reader, musician, and in his early 80s enthusiastically took up woodcarving. It delighted Nicholas to design his own first new home, following "final" retirement at age 80, in Marble Mountain, Cape Breton, where he kept himself busy doing a host of small jobs. Until very recent years he enjoyed travel, with daughter Gertrude and her husband. Nicholas was predeceased by his wife, Gladys Mae (Roberts) in 1992; brothers, Enoch, Charles, Frank and John. He is survived by daughter, Gertrude and son-in-law, Dr. James Carson, Halifax; granddaughter, Dr. Janet Carson, Victoria, B.C.; grandson, John Carson and wife Claudia, The Hague, The Netherlands; also brothers, Samuel and Bernard; a nephew and several nieces. A memorial service to celebrate the life of Canon Nicholas Prosser will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 8, 2003, at Saint John Baptist (Mission Church) St. Clement, 815 Millidge Avenue, Saint John, N.B., Canon Stuart Allan and Canon Alvin Westgate officiating. A reception to follow service in the church hall. Family flowers only. Donations may be made to the Windsor Elms, Windsor or Canadian Cancer Society. Arrangements under the direction of Brenan's Select Community Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424). www.brenansfh.com