Danny Allen Nickel

It is with a heavy heart we must announce that Danny (Dan) Allen Nickel, age 74, of Kelowna, BC passed away on August 2nd, 2022.

He departed us comfortably and at peace with his loving wife Elaine at his side at the Kelowna Hospice House after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

Dan was born in Moosejaw, SK on December 4th, 1947, to Allen and Irene. Dan had a close bond with his siblings Penny, Barry, and Ron - all of whom now live in British Columbia.

Dan had always been a hard worker. After his younger years in the Navy, he became a Plumber / Pipefitter. His work took him all over Canada and even as far as Russia. On May 5th of 1988 Dan married Elaine Kellins in Las Vegas, where they had previously met. Elaine had strongly wanted a family of her own, but the couple did not believe they were able to have children. By a twist of fate - and a rockin’ old Chevy (which almost became his name, but that is a story for another time) - Danny Allen William Nickel Jr. was born on March 5th, 1990, in Vernon, BC.

The family’s early years were spent on Westside Road. Trips down the hill to the beach, boat rides, Dan teaching Danny how to pee off the deck, and some colorful language shouted at the dog in Duck Hunt on the Nintendo Entertainment System. In 1995 they moved to Saskatchewan and for a short time stayed with Elaine’s mother Eileen while Dan worked long, difficult hours for months at a time in Kyrgyzstan to eventually afford their dream home - a humble 2 acre property with an imperfectly-perfect bungalow.

Through the years the acreage saw a ball diamond, a dirt bike track, a paintball course, skateboard ramps, a massive swing through a huge gulley, PVC waterslides, oversized fire pits, etc. Every time his son fell in love with a new hobby, Dan supported and embraced it with his ability to do almost anything. He lived by a creed, which has always been a perfect definition of the man that Dan was - “Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, he can achieve”. This is true not only in his outstanding efforts as a father, but also in his devotion to being a husband. Dan Nickel always followed through.

As the years went by, their son got hot feet and followed in the footsteps of his father as a Plumber / Pipefitter which eventually led him to Calgary where he met his wife, Kelly. As older parents, Dan and Elaine did not expect to see a Grandchild in their lives, but Danny and Kelly made sure to throw a wrench in that. On June 4th of 2013, Katrina Irene was born, and became another light in Dan’s eyes. In 2013, Dan and Elaine retired and moved back to British Columbia. Again, like so many years ago, days were spent in the sun, camping, walking their dog Josie, visiting with the family, and tending to their home and yard - in his signature cut-off jeans.

A celebration of life will be held with family & friends in the near future, where Dan will be let go in one of the places that has resonated with him and his family throughout their lives. We ask that in lieu of flowers anyone who wishes write a message, memory, or any words of support on a balloon and sends it to:
 

The Family of Dan Nickel

#64 - 1850 Shannon Lake Rd.

West Kelowna, British Columbia

V4T 1L6

The balloons that are received will be filled with helium and let go at the Celebration of Life. If anyone wishes to donate instead, the family suggests The Kelowna Hospice House or The BC Cancer Foundation.