Tribute from Ross McBain

There are so many things I could say about Nick. When I hired him 55 years ago to run our photofinishing pland there was never a minute’s worry about him talking complete charge and running it. Neither of us knew anything about running a photofinishing plan but Nick, fresh from delivering groceries took charge.

One thing that never left him was quality control. From his first black and white print until he closed the door of Northwest Color quality was number 1.

The confidence I had in Nick was such that in 55 years I never questioned his decisions.

The story of Northwest Color is the story of Nick’s ability and energy. Starting a Film Services in a location where the Law Court building is now and evolving into a black and white plant under Joe Stepa and the color plant under Nick with 100 employees.

In the process, Nick built two major plants specifically designed for photofinishing, one for black and white, the other for color.

As time progressed, we arranged an agreement that Nick would own 2/3rds of the company and I would retain 1/3rd. This was no gift, Nick earned it. McBain Camera became noted for quality finishing, thanks to Nick.

Nick was an enthusiastic flyer. We flew to several conventions in my single engine Beech Bonanza, and had a few adventures. Once, coming home from Chicago, we stopped because of questionable weather. For two days we explored Flint. One the third day we could see across the field. So we checked with the tower to see if we could take off. They asked if we could fly on instruments. We said yes. So off we went and came out of the clouds at 13,000 feet. I don’t know if it was this incident that prompted Nick to get his license and buy and airplane.

Nick’s reason (excuse) for buying the plane was to visit country photofinishing dealers. Internal revenue accepted that.

On a personal basis, Nick visited us for a couple of weeks in Maui. We had summer parties at the cottage at Pigeon Lake to which Nick regularly visited. A year ago he visited our condo and took pictures of the clouds he would use in his rural paintings.

Nick was an outstanding artist in many Medias. When I hired him, he was a leading exhibitor of salon photos in Canada. He was superb in pen and ink pictures and oils as well as acrylics. His copy of The Mona Lisa was hard to distinguish from the original.

His latest, over the past 15 years was stained glass windows. I have lost track of the number he made. Many churches in the Edmonton are have them installed as well as the Norwood Legion.

It’s hard to put in writing my feelings towards Nick. Respect, Admiration, Confidence and most of all Friendship. He cannot be replaced and will be missed by all who knew him.

Ross