Obituary of Clifford “Cliff, C.J.” John Nesselbeck

April 10, 1935 – North Battleford, Saskatchewan

November 5, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Clifford Nesselbeck, beloved husband of Barbara Nesselbeck (nee Barrett) of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 5, 2021 at the age of 86 years, following a brief illness for which he was admitted to the hospital on October 31, 2021.

Cliff was born in North Battleford, SK to parents, Arthur and Elizabeth “Lizzy” Nesselbeck (nee Puff) on April 10, 1935. Setting down roots in Calgary as a teenager and attending St. Mary’s Boys School, he forged lifelong friendships with the Babott family; in particular, Louie, whom he named his own son after. Cliff then joined with Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), completing his training in 1960. On October 15 of that same year, he married Barbara Joan Barrett and moved his new bride to Winnipeg, MB. Their son, Louis Joseph, was born in 1961 and after a move to Summerside, P.E.I., and then to Greenwood, N.S., where daughter, Deborah “Debi” Teresa, was born in 1963. The family returned to Calgary in 1966 when Cliff resigned from the RCAF after having spent majority of his career as a Flying Officer (Radio Navigation). The following year, Cliff graduated from SAIT with his electrician certification and joined the University of Calgary Data Centre and later, Trimac, where he worked until his retirement. Through the years and especially after his retirement, Cliff invested his time and energy in his family and friends; fishing, curling, golfing at Highwood Golf and Country Club and Turner Valley, and “having a cold one” at the Noble Hotel, the Legion (Branch 285), and The Black Swan. Having enjoyed time fishing in the Bugaboos and staying with friends in Spur Valley, he built his own family cabin in the early 1980’s and this became a gathering place for many friends and all of Cliff’s family over the years. Successive family trips to Idaho over the years also led to countless antics and fun and were a showcase for his goofy sense of humour. Cliff was a much-loved husband, father, uncle, and grandfather who spent tireless hours with his beloved grandson, taking early morning babysitting shifts, getting Matt to school and playing and attending hockey games. Cliff was also a loyal friend and a peacekeeper; he had a way of diffusing situations and making everyone feel safe with his quiet strength and calm demeanor.

The hole left behind by Cliff’s unexpected passing is being felt by many, his wife Barbara, daughter Debi; and grandson Matthew. Cliff was predeceased by his son Louis, who passed in 2020; his nephew Larry; sisters-in-law, Mary-Lou, Lynn and Edna; and brother-in-law Harry. He also leaves behind his brother Ken (Edna) Nesselbeck; sister Donna (Harry) McAloney; nieces, Karen, Cindy, Diane and Tracey; and nephew Richard. Cliff was very close to his in-laws and leaves behind his sisters-in-law, Donna Barrett and Valerie (Ross) Hargrave; brother-in-law Derrill (Marian) Barrett; and many nieces and nephews, Nicole Axelson, Natalie (Stephen) Roth, Christine (Chuck) Battye, Laurie (Trevor) Lyons, Jennifer (Craig) Barnstable, Ashley (Tyler) Helfrich, Todd (Meighan) Sherman, Robb Sherman, Dean (Jillian) Barrett, and Ryan (Lesley) Barret. A surrogate “grandpa” to many, he also leaves behind great-nieces and great-nephews, and extended family that will miss his mischievous smile, generous nature, and commitment to cabin security detail.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at 11:00 a.m., at St. Gerard’s Catholic Church (8944 Elbow Dr. SW, Calgary, AB) with a reception to follow at the Royal Canadian Legion (9202 Horton Rd. SW, Calgary, AB). Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mr. Nesselbeck’s Mass streamed live (see below) on the day of the Mass. For those who are unable to view live, a recording will be posted. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Command Poppy Trust Fund, 86 Aird Place, Ottawa, ON K2L 0A1, Telephone: 1-888-556-6222, https://legion.ca/donations.

In living memory of Clifford Nesselbeck, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.

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