Obituary of David Nichol

David (Dave) A. Nichol (1940-2013) Dave passed away quietly at Toronto Western Hospital on Sunday, September 22, 2013, at the age of 73, after a lengthy illness. Loved husband of Terri, stepfather of Leigh and Michael, and brother of Marilyn and John, grandfather of Emma, Harris, Miles and Savanna, father-in-law to Patrick and Karina. He will be sadly missed. In January 2005, Dave Nichol was selected by the American Marketing Association as one of their first inductees into the Hall of Canadian Marketing Legends. Throughout his life, Dave had a deep and abiding passion for food. To quote the American Marketing Association: "Dave Nichol has been credited with many things during his career. The simplest assessment is that he has changed the retail landscape forever and has done so in a sustainable and meaningful way. A lifelong passion for food has translated into fundamental evolutions in the choices and quality of food products available to Canadian households." From 1975 to 1985, as president of Loblaw's Supermarkets, Dave Nichol was the driving force behind "No Name" generic products, the "President's Choice" superior quality product program, as well as a nutritious line of healthy products called "too good to be true" and an environmentally friendly line of President's Choice "Green" products. From 1985 to the end of 1993, Dave Nichol was president of Loblaw International Merchants, the product development arm of Loblaw Companies Limited. From 1994 to 1997, David was C.E.O. of Destination Products International, a subsidiary of Cott Corporation (the world's largest supplier of retailer-controlled soft drinks), where he developed a line of unique premium food products that were offered to food retailers around the world under the retailer's own brand name. David was born in Chatham, Ontario in 1940. He holds a degree in business administration from the University of Western Ontario as well as a law degree from the University of British Columbia and a post-graduate degree from The Harvard Law School. Prior to his joining the Loblaw group in 1972, David worked with McKinsey and Company, Inc., an international firm of business consultants. Until recently his consulting firm, Dave Nichol & Associates, continued to create unique products on behalf of his domestic and international clients. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 1400-522 University Avenue, Toronto M5G 2R5. A memorial service is planned for spring. It will be announced at later date. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.