Obituary of Nicholas William Oxner

Nicholas (Nick) William Oxner, 87, of Antigonish died peacefully with his children by his bedside on December 2, 2024 in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, Antigonish.

Born in Dublin Shore, Lunenburg Co. on March 14, 1937, Nick was the only child of the late Max and Evelyn (Crouse) Oxner. He obtained employment as a foreman with Antigonish based Colin R MacDonald Construction which led him to Antigonish where he met Marguerite King. In 1964 Nick and Marguerite were married. Their marriage was a lifelong partnership based on love, commitment, and shared values of family, community and faith. Nick lovingly and devotedly cared for his wife through her illness and recent death.

As a 29 year old husband and father of one, Nick enrolled at STFX as a mature student. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1971 and a Bachelor of Education in 1972. Following graduation, he taught math at the Dr. John Hugh Gillis High School until his retirement. He was engaged in his students’ learning and genuinely interested in learning about them. He always enjoyed meeting those prior students to ask them about what and how they were doing.

In his community, Nick was a 4-H leader and a volunteer assistant to the high school track team. He volunteered as both a hospitality minister and altar server at St. Ninian Cathedral and at the Adult Friendship Corner. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was an avid gardener who took pride in his early successes as a giant pumpkin grower.

Nick had a quiet but deep pride in his children and his grandchildren, following every detail of their athletic, academic and professional accomplishments and interests. He is survived by his daughter Mary, Antigonish; sons Bill (Janet), Halifax; and Robert, Antigonish; grandsons, Reid, Halifax; John, NYC; and Michael, Calgary; brother-in-law Bob (Kathleen) King, Frankville; brother-in-law, Fred Pellerine, Halifax; several nieces and nephews; and the family of Vaughan and Elaine Chisholm. He was predeceased by his wife, Marguerite, his parents and his sister-in-law Kathleen (Fred) Pellerine.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital especially Drs Rice and Booth for their respectful care, Sr. Catherine Ann MacGillivray for spiritual guidance and the Palliative Care Unit nurses and staff who showed much care and kindness.

Visitation will be held from 7:00-9:00pm on Friday, December 6, 2024 in MacIsaac Funeral Home. Funeral Mass 11:00am Saturday, December 7, 2024 in St. Ninian Cathedral, Rev. Donald MacGillivray presiding. Burial in the parish cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Antigonish Affordable Housing Society.