Obituary of Craig Douglas Nichol

December 17, 1974 – Guelph, Ontario

October 27, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Craig Nichol, beloved husband of Pamela Nichol (née Dais) of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, October 27, 2024, after a two-and-a-half-year battle with colorectal cancer. He was 49 years old. Craig’s wife and children were by his side, and his favourite music played throughout the day.

Born on December 17, 1974, in Guelph, ON, Craig was the eldest son of Doug and Lynda Nichol and an older brother to Kyle Nichol.

After high school, Craig embarked on a six-month adventure across Australia, where he worked on farms, camped, hiked, and explored the outdoors. His love of nature and camping became a lifelong passion that he enjoyed sharing with his children through many adventures in the woods.

Craig pursued higher education at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, ON, earning an honours degree in Outdoor Recreation in November 1999. During his time at university, he discovered his calling while volunteering with the campus Emergency Response Team.

Following graduation, Craig moved to Alberta to pursue a career as a paramedic. Before fully realizing this goal, he worked in the service industry, where he met the love of his life, Pam, at Starbucks in 2004.

Craig and Pam married in 2007 and had two children: Eamon in 2008, and Emily in 2010. Determined to fulfill his dream of becoming a paramedic, Craig returned to school after Emily’s birth, graduating as an EMT in 2011. He worked with Alberta Health Services for several years before continuing his education to become a paramedic, graduating in 2018.

Craig’s career took another leap forward in April 2020, when he joined Suncor at Fort Hills. There, he completed training to become a firefighter, fulfilling a childhood dream made possible by advances in diabetes management—a condition Craig had lived with since age five. Craig’s enthusiasm for his work often led to his paramedic and firefighter colleagues reminding him to pause for sugar. Every one of his partners has their own stories about this.

Craig had an insatiable curiosity about the world, always striving to understand it more deeply. He was passionate about philosophy, shamanism, and the way of the Ronin. He was never content with just scratching the surface. His curiosity and pursuit of knowledge extended to every subject he encountered.

Craig had a unique sense of humor that was often inappropriate but always made you laugh. At one point, he even considered becoming a comedian. Regardless of career choice, Craig wanted to make the world a better place which he did with his incredible compassion, endless patience, and genuine kindness.

He shared his love and wisdom generously, but most especially with his wife and children, who were the center of his world. They were his greatest pride and joy, and his devotion to them was unwavering. In every sense of the word, Craig was a good man.

A Celebration of Craig’s Life will be held at the Calgary Curling Club (720 3 St NW, Calgary, AB) on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.

Family and friends who are unable to attend in person are invited to join Mr. Nichol’s service streamed live (see link below) on the day of the service.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Craig’s family here.

In living memory of Craig Nichol, 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.

Click Here to View Craig’s Celebration of Life

Click Here to view the Memorial Card for Craig Nichol