It is with great sadness The National Board announces the February 11 death of retired Saskatchewan chief inspector Nicholas Surtees, P.E. Eng, following an accident at home. He was 70 years old.
Mr. Surtees was born April 7, 1944, in Sunderland, Co. Durham, England. It was there he met his wife Lesley when they were both in their early teens, married, and continued together for 48 years.
Mr. Surtees attended the University of Surrey (Guildford, England) where he obtained a degree in Metallurgy. In 1969, the Surtees immigrated to Canada. They moved around Canada frequently with Nick pursuing his career in the field of quality assurance, metallurgy, and boiler and pressure vessel construction and maintenance.
During this time the Surtees and their children lived in various cities in Quebec, Ontario, and Alberta until they arrived in Regina in 1987. Here, Mr. Surtees assumed the position of Executive Director with the Government of Saskatchewan, Boilers and Pressure Vessels Division.
In 2005, he was employed in the Ministry of Justice, Corrections and Policing, in the role of Project Director of the 1913 Regina Correctional Centre Replacement Project. He then continued as Project Director of the design, construction, and renovations of various Correctional Institutions in Saskatchewan. He was very proud of being able to say that the new Regina Jail was "his legacy."
Mr. Surtees was respected and valued by his peers for his hard work and dedication to his chosen profession. He represented Saskatchewan on The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors, serving both on the Board of Trustees and many committees. He received an honorary membership following retirement.
As a representative of the Canadian Association of Chief Inspectors, he chaired and served on various committees and was also active with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. In 2005, he received the Canadian Standards Association Award of Merit "for over 15 years of outstanding leadership and devotion in the development of standards in the public safety program."
“The passing of Nick Surtees is a shock to all of us who knew him personally and worked with him,” stated National Board Executive Director David Douin. “He was of solid character and well respected by all who knew him professionally. He was a good man.”
Mr. Surtees was predeceased by his parents, Nicholas and Carol Surtees; and parents-in-law, Frederick and Margaret Brass. He is survived by his wife, Lesley; daughter, Nicola; son, Jason; his beloved granddaughters: Emily, Kate, Emma, Avery, and Ella; brother, Leslie (Lesley) Surtees, and family in England; brother-in-law, Mike (Kathy) Brass and family also in England.
In keeping with Mr. Surtee’s wishes, a private family service will be held. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Mr. Surtee’s name may be made to the Hospitals of Regina Foundation, #225 - 1874 Scarth St, Regina SK S4P 4B3. Cards of condolence may be sent to Lesley Surtees at 232 Hector Crescent North, Regina, SK, Canada S4Y1C6.