John Andrew Nickel

John was born on November 2, 1960 in Vancouver B.C. He was the 4th son of the late Daniel and Helen Nickel, going with them to India from ages 4-12 and Indonesia from ages 13-18.

After high school John returned to the Fraser Valley where he met his sweetheart at CBI, now CBC, in Abbotsford.

John is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Susan, and his beloved children and grandchildren: Rachel (Brad) Dalzell and their children Weston, Julia and Oscar; Sarah (Colin) MacDougall and their children Montgomery and Angelina; Joshua (Ashley) Nickel and their children Addie and Everett.

John was passionate about and thankful for his family. Having married young and starting his family early, John learned to be a caring father early as he pursued his music and teaching degrees in Ontario.

He taught a number of years in the public and private systems. Later he pursued a master’s degree in Science in England, focusing on international construction management. In that career John left a lasting legacy in dozens of high rises in Vancouver, from One Wall Centre to Olympic Village to the Richmond Centre, working as superintendent, project planner, or consultant in the fast-paced west coast building industry.

In between those years he also had a custom woodworking business, where he designed and crafted many homes with cherry and walnut cabinets and furniture. Squeeze in further years returning to India and Indonesia as teachers with Susan, and life was at its best. But closest to John’s heart was his love for singing, composing and playing multiple instruments; music was his passionate thread weaving through every day of his life.

As a soloist he sang on thirteen West Coast Mennonite Chamber Choir albums, helping with others to raise over a million dollars for BC patients with brain injuries. Little did he know that he would become one of those patients. He also was one of two soloists who was chosen to represent Canada at Carnegie Hall under the director Robert Shaw.

While examples such as these went on throughout his life, one of his greatest joys was to teach others to learn the love of music, to appreciate and foster musical excellence. One thing is for sure: John lived his philosophy of pursuing excellence.

During his two years of living with ALS, John wrote two books and composed dozens of songs, most while using his toes to guide the computer mouse along the floor. In the end, after battling ALS at home, John spent three weeks in the hospital followed by nine days in The Oxford care home in Abbotsford.

The compassionate, gentle staff recognized his faith and kind character as he made sure to learn each caregiver’s name. He left this earth in a broken body but demonstrating faith, wisdom, love and class, having lived a full good life to the bitter end.

As a family member said, John taught us not only how to live but also how to die. His family will continue to remember and honour him as they smile and imagine him singing with the heavenly hosts. God bless you, John, Dad, Pa, Opa.

If anyone wishes to remember John with a gift, please donate to the ALS Society of BC.

A memorial service will be held at Clearbrook MB Church on Friday, August 28 at 7:00 pm.