Nicholas Handfield-Jones died on August 2, 2024, in Ottawa, Canada. He will be deeply missed by his parents, Richard Handfield-Jones and Alexandra Heber, his brother, William Handfield-Jones, and his many friends and relatives.
Nick was born in Mississauga, Ontario. Over the years, he lived in Oakville, Toronto, London (Ontario), Ottawa and Amsterdam. He attended high school at Ottawa’s Lisgar Collegiate Institute (2010-13), Amsterdam University College for his BSc (2013-16), and Western University for his Masters in Neurosciences (2017-19). During the past four years, he worked first at the Wine Rack in Ottawa’s Hintonburg neighbourhood, then with the federal government in the Department of National Defence.
Nick was a natural-born and compassionate leader. He edited multiple school newspapers and journals, chaired university committees, and mentored fellow students throughout his time in school. He had a profound social conscience with a genuine belief in equality, the public good and the welfare of others.
As an athlete, Nick loved his many years with the Gefilte Fish Swim Club (later Swim Ottawa). He was very proud of his “Most Improved Swimmer” award. He was a runner, entering the Ottawa Run and Army Run races over many years. And he especially enjoyed downhill skiing – a big guy floating effortlessly down any slope.
Nick was a writer and a thinker. Since his earliest years, Nick has turned out millions of words – in his childhood stories, detailed study notes, scientific papers, social media posts, short stories, novels and, most recently, poetry. He enjoyed any opportunity to debate: politics, the role of social media, movies, medieval history, the latest pop music. You name it, he’d have an opinion, usually backed by extensive reading and reflective thought.
Nick was open and proud of being a gay man.
Above all, Nick was a lover of life and a giver of love and compassion. He had a huge heart – caring deeply about everyone around him. Nothing guided him more than his consideration for the feelings of others. He was always there for his friends and family when they were struggling. His quirky sense of humour made us all laugh. His relationships and friendships were true and life-long.
He was an enlightened soul in the modern age.
A memorial will be held at Beechwood Cemetery on Thursday, August 15th.
2:00 PM: Meet and Greet
3:00 PM: Formal ceremony
3:45 PM: Informal gathering
Dress Code: Casual to Business Casual
Nicholas’s ashes will be interred on a later date.
The ceremony will be live streamed to allow his many friends and relatives around the world to join us. REGISTER HERE TO ATTEND VIA LIVE STREAM
Digital Guestbook
Hallie Frank
Ernesto and Alicia Schiffrin
Nicholas was such a gifted young man with a great sense of humor with whom we engaged in very interesting conversations. He will be sorely missed. Please receive our deep felt condolences for the loss of your son and brother.
Donna Coleman
My deepest love and condolences to all of you, especially Richard, Alex and Will. You are in my heart and thoughts.
Michel. Burrowes and Jacqueline Pearce
Our deep felt condolences on your loss. We knew Nick as a Gefilte Fish team mate and more importantly friend to Avery. I watched Nick grow from a shy young boy to a thoughtful man. He will be missed.
Milly Casey-Campbell
My sincerest sympathy during this time of profound loss.
Colin Cameron
I am so saddened to learn about Nicholas’s untimely passing. May the depth of your grief serve as a testament of the depth of your love and may your many precious memories sustain you at this difficult time.
Brian Corneil, Susan Simpson, and Lara Staecker
We were so sorry to hear of Nick’s passing. The three of us had the pleasure of working closely with Nick during his graduate work at Western, when he served as the student representative for the Neuroscience Graduate Program. Nick was very dedicated to this role, advocating for student perspectives with passion and humour. He was also a skilled researcher and communicator. Our sincere condolences to his friends and family.
scott Charlton
Dear Nicks friends and family,
Shocked and devastated by the news of Nicks passing. I met Nick at Western University. His passion, smile and the betterment of himself and the people around him made it an instant connection for everyone who met him. The world will be a way less beautiful place without him in it.
Sonia Yasmin
Nick was such a beautiful soul and all his friends will miss him so dearly. He helped me find my place in our friend group back at Western, and I will always remember that. I’m so sorry for this loss for his family and friends. My sincerest condolences
Mandy
My deepest and heartfelt condolences to your family. Nick was a true gem. He had a huge heart and cared so deeply. He will be missed by so so Many. I will always hold a special place in my heart for his beautiful soul.
Harry and I offer our heartfelt condolences we are heartbroken for your devastating loss may his memory continue to be a comfort and a blessing