Obituary of Keith Charles NICKEL

December 20, 1956 – Grande Prairie, Alberta October 3, 2014 – Calgary, Alberta Keith Charles Nickel, loving father and husband, big brother, loyal friend and willing volunteer, passed away peacefully at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary on Friday, October 3, 2014 at the age of 57. Keith was born in Grande Prairie, Alberta but spent his school years in Westlock. After graduation from R.F. Staples High School in 1974, Keith spent a few years working in the oil patch with his father and friends. His constant thirst for learning motivated him to return to school and he earned a B.Sc. Geology from the University of Alberta. After a few more years in the uncertain oil patch of the 80’s, and working for Computalog in Norman Wells, NWT, Keith returned to the U of A and graduated with a B.Sc. Pharm in 1991. During his pharmacy education, he met Pam, and they married in 1993. Keith worked with the Pediatric Oncology team at the University of Alberta / Stollery Hospital in Edmonton for over a decade. His career path led him to Dispensaries Ltd. where he was fortunate to work part time at their Standard Life location on Jasper Avenue. Since the birth of his sons, Keith’s days were filled with school field trips, volunteering in the community, coaching hockey and baseball, and working course at ski races. Keith was well known in the community for his volunteer spirit. Keith had a passion for the outdoors. In the winter he enjoyed skiing at Sunshine Village and summers were spent in his garden or camping in Caroline, Pembina River or Radium Hot Springs. Keith will be sadly missed by his wife Pam (nee Milne) and his sons Zach (17) and Brett (15). He is survived by his mother Wilma (nee Bush), father Willard (Darlaine), siblings Gerald (Gisele), Jeff (Tina), Angela (Don) and nephews Nathaniel and Ty. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Derrick Club in Edmonton on Sunday, October 19 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Condolences may be forwarded through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. The family wishes to thank the caring staff at the U of A Hospital Unit 5F4 and MOU, and the Foothills Hospital Unit 57 and BMT clinic for their exceptional dedication and kindness. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada (The Bill Beattie Memorial Fund) 2020 10th Street NW, Calgary, AB, T2M 3M2. In living memory of Keith Nickel, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Park Memorial, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Calgary, AB, T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.