Noel P. Nightingale, age 72 of Salem, NH, passed away March 7, 2013 at Merrimack Valley Hospice House, Haverhill, MA after a brave, yet hopeful, battle with metastatic melanoma. Noel is survived by his loving and caring wife, Shirley Bedrosian Nightingale, who stayed by his side until his passing.
Born in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, Noel was predeceased by his father, Harold Nightingale, his mother, Eilian Nightingale (nee Abbott) and his eldest brother, Harold Nightingale. He leaves behind son Michael, daughter Tamara (John Clough) and son Randall (Jennifer) and their mother Miriam (Betty) Nightingale (nee Lee) as well as brother, Albert (Winnifred) and sister, Patricia (Stephen Kilty). Noel will also be sadly missed by his 7 grandchildren and by numerous nieces and nephews. Many were at his side during his final days.
Noel earned his BASc degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Toronto (U of T), and received his MASc and MBA from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy NY.
Noel began his career with the Royal Canadian Air Force, rising to the rank of Lieutenant. The remainder of his engineering and executive career, in the aerospace industry, took place in The United States where he became a citizen. Eventually, Noel joined Textron, Wilmington, MA as Sr. Vice President of Engineering and Operations. He then moved on to an executive role at Textron Corporate, Providence RI until his retirement in 2009. During his semi-retirement years he continued to act as a Consultant to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Noel played a pretty mean game of golf and was a member of the Andover Country Club for approximately 15 years. His love for the game of hockey was expressed through the years of playing in various men's leagues and spending many years coaching his two sons during the 70's and 80's. He loved dancing, watching all sports (his first love being hockey), loved to walk on the beach with Shirley and their loving Shih Tzu, Bella. He also enjoyed driving his ragtop "Beemer", travelling and visiting his brothers and sister in Canada, and cruising around town with the top down with his grandchildren. His wife, Shirley, wishes to express profound thanks to Lahey Clinic and Rockingham VNA. Special thanks to the Merrimack Valley Hospice House, Haverhill MA, for their exceptional care during Noel’s last days through his journey.
ARRANGEMENTS: Memorial visitation will take place Wednesday, March 13, 2013, from 2 to 4 pm at Douglas and Johnson Funeral Home, 214 Main St, Salem, NH, with a service to follow at 4pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name either to the Merrimack Valley Hospice House, 360 North Street, Haverhill, MA 01830 or to his wife for distribution to several other charities he had mentioned.