It is with great sadness that we, Tyler, Boyd and Daniel Nichol announce the sudden passing of our dad, John Nichol. Dad fell ill recently and on September 27th, he unexpectedly succumbed to his illness. He spent his last days at home with our loving mom Karen. This is a great shock to us as dad was just visiting Tyler and his family in Dawson and everything was great. Maybe the only consolation in all of this is that he’s giving a big hug to our brother Jesse who passed away in 2018.
Dad was one of a kind and we’re gonna miss him like crazy. He was a man of the fire, always cutting wood, spending time with friends and family around the campfire telling stories. He was super generous and was always there to help people. He really believed in living simple and understood the benefit of small communities.
Many years ago Dad went to Dawson City to mine for gold and loved it so much that he moved his family of 6 there in a school bus. It was a grand adventure driving across the country moving to the north. During that time, he worked gold mining and for the Yukon Government maintaining parts of the Dempster Highway and surrounding area. Even though the family moved back to Blenheim, part of Dad’s heart stayed in Dawson City. He loved the country and he loved the people there. Everyone had so many good times going to Dawson and camping at his place. He loved hosting people and spending time with the younger generation and the energy they brought. The past few years found him in Dawson again helping Tyler build the dirt work for the winter terrain parks at Moose Mountain and Mt Maichen and the Cross Country ski trails at Mt Mac in Whitehorse. Dad loved the trails and spending time on them with us. If you wish to make a donation in his memory, it would’ve made him smile. Please consider a donation to the Klondike Active Transport and Trails Society in Dawson City to continue the work that he loved so much. Donations can be mailed to KATTS, Box 1223, Dawson City, Yukon, Y0B1G0 or e-transferred to [email protected] stating who the donation is for.
Dad was an inspiration to all four of us growing up, and in turn, we became an inspiration to him. He was 65 years young. He showed us you’re never too old to learn how to snowboard, downhill mountain bike or tow behind Bella his dog on his longboard, he was a natural. His energy brought so much to all of our lives. His inward happiness and adventurous sides were gifts that he gave us and for that we will always be grateful. His free spirit took him far and wide where he was able to experience so much of what life has to offer. He was a talented heavy machine operator whose favourite pieces of equipment were the grader and excavator. He was a member of the Operating Engineers Union – Local 793, working wherever the job took him. A Celebration of Life for John will be held at Karen’s, 19360 Fargo Rd. Blenheim on Sunday October 15 from 2pm-5pm. Please bring your lawn chair and favourite pot luck dish.
Dad, there’s no one like you and we’re really gonna miss ya. We love you so much!
Tyler, Boyd, Daniel and Mom
