Obituary of George Nickel

June 24, 1936 - Coaldale, Alberta

November 21, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

George Nickel, of Calgary Alberta, passed away on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at the age of 87 years.

George Nickel was born in a cabin near Coaldale, AB on June 24, 1936. He was the oldest child of Abe and Mary Nickel. Mary became ill when the children were young and was placed in an invalid home. George and his siblings, Peter, and Ruth were sent to a children’s home in Rosthern, Saskatchewan, to be near her.  It was during this time, that George was led to a lifelong relationship with His Saviour, Jesus Christ, by the man who started the orphanage.

Growing up, George worked at his family’s flour mill and played trumpet in the Coaldale Town Band. In Bible School, George played in a trio and sang bass in a men’s quartet. It was here that he met the love of his life, Pat Chatwin. Dad remembered a time when they were putting on a banquet for the third-year students. Pat fainted and Dad picked her up and set her on a bench. Since he was used to hoisting 100 lb. flour sacks at the mill, he said that Mom was as “light as a feather” and he felt like a “big hero”.  George and Pat were married on July 12, 1957. They were blessed with two daughters, Lee-Anne and Alison.

George had some remarkable life experiences. In addition to the orphanage, he lived in a sod shack and a converted chicken coop. When he was a boy, his dad hired German prisoners to help dig a basement in the lot next door. Dad sat on the front steps next to the guard and got to know him while the men worked.  George also had many interesting jobs: riding atop houses as they were moved and lifting the cables overhead, delivering milk, and selling Rena Ware cookware. The majority of his career was spent as a communications technician working for Alberta Government Telephones/Telus. Dad wrote and taught a course at SAIT for AGT; teaching gave him great satisfaction. George was a reliable and honest employee and a good worker. He retired in 1991 at 55 years of age and spent the rest of his days serving his wife, children, grandchildren, and friends. He was Mr. Fix-it and especially loved repairing electronics.  Dad was always ready to lend a hand, helping to fix vehicles and household items, showing up faithfully to his kids’ household moves, and caring for his grandchildren, whom he loved very much.

Preceding Dad to Heaven was his wife, Pat. Left to remember him are his brothers Peter, Richard, Douglas, Larry, and Roy; his sister, Ruth; his brothers-in-law, Jack, Cal, and Brad Chatwin; his children, Lee-Anne (Earl) Wiebe and Alison (Dave) Halase; his grandchildren Emily (Jordan) Cook and Jacqueline Halase; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Dad was a faithful prayer warrior, and he loved his friends and family well.  He had a “punny” sense of humour which brought a sense of joy and connection to many. George’s steadying influence, sincere faith and gentle smile will be missed by all who knew him. A private family service will be held. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of  George Nickel, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.