Aaron Erick Nelson

Aaron was born on a blustery day in Alert Bay BC. His parents Carl Nelson and Kate Brauer took the fishing boat from their home on Malcolm Island to Cormorant Island to have their first, and only baby delivered by the infamous Dr. Pickup.

Aaron grew up in Sointula on Malcolm Island, as well he spent alternating years in Victoria. He even had a school year on Maui, where he would tell stories of being a minority, and learning how to sprint from a result of having to run away from the local boys. His diverse upbringing made him the type of man that would love and accept all humans, the type of man that was always non-judgmental and welcoming.

Aaron was a Commercial Fisherman from a young age. Starting on his fathers boat, then moving on to be a deckhand for various boats through his adolescence, teenage years, and then earlier adulthood. The fishing stories were many, and always wildly exciting. He spent some time in the Kootenays as a Horticulturist prior to his first daughter being born, he moved back to Sointula then, Aija Skylar Nelson was born in March of 2000 and changed him forever into the beloved father that he was.

In 2002, the love of his life, Julia Foster returned from Art School and again his fate took a turn. Their undeniable love sparked and flourished. He was a hopeless Romantic, Poet, and Musician, and his future wife had no choice but to fall head over heels in love. They had a long-standing date to watch the sun set on the beaches of their home island, and they did. They moved in together that summer, and were expectant of their first child together by the following year. Their daughter, Ocean Erin Kulle Nelson was born in the Spring of 2004, Aaron and Julia married in the fall of 2004 on the rock bluffs at Meynell Point. A converted sein boat transported them and their wedding party around the local islands prior to their wedding dance at the FO Hall where their friend’s band from Alert Bay entertained, and learned the song – ‘Crazy Love’ for their first dance.

Aaron and Julia had dreams to go out into the world and carve their own path. They moved to Kelowna in 2006, and Aaron got his heavy equipment training while Julia got her class 1 licence while eight months pregnant with Summer Mary-Anna Nelson. They left the Okanagan once training was complete, put everything in storage and moved into their RV, which they towed North. They made it as far as Chetwynd, BC, got a flat tire, got it repaired and they decided to stay. They spent 16 years in Chetwynd, bought a beautiful home and a rental property. They worked hard, had one more child – Thorran Carl-Wayne Nelson, and lived the dream. Gourmet dinners together nightly, live music, stories, and laughter were the foundation of the Nelson culture. Christmas was one of Aaron’s favourite holidays, and he was guaranteed to cut down the largest possible tree for their home annually. One year the family tried to get a reasonably sized tree and ended up getting three trees. Nothing was ever done on a small scale with Aaron.

Aaron loved to spend time with his family. He loved taking them fishing on the river, adventuring to the beach, or 4xing in the mountains while blasting music. His children were his greatest pride and joy, as he was a loving and attentive father. He and Julia had just celebrated their 20 years together and found much strength and healing from the obstacles that they had overcome. They were playful and passionate like 20 years had never passed. Just so in love, and ready to take on the next era of life together, stronger than ever.

Aaron was a passionate, caring, kind man. He played guitar like a soulful angel. He told stories and entertained crowds naturally. He was larger than life, and so incredibly handsome. His family was not ready to say goodbye, and truly never will be. He left a hole that no other human will ever be able to fill, as he was truly one of a kind.

His legacy will live on in his beautiful children, and all his family and friends that remain here on earth to muddle their way through a world without the Big Guy they love so much.

Aaron will be missed dearly by his wife, 4 children, mother, Step-Father, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

There will be a graveside service at the Sointula Cemetery on Saturday October 8th, 2022 at 2:00pm.

Celebration of Life to follow on Malcolm Island. Location to be announced.

Please bring your musical instruments and any photos you have of Aaron for a memorial wall.

His family looks forward to seeing you there.