Stanley James Nickel
July 22, 1948 – October 7, 2022
Stanley James Nickel died very peacefully the evening of October 7th, 2022. He was predeceased by his Dad and Mom – Arthur & Lillian Nickel from Aberdeen, SK., and by his brother in law, Robert Bueckert.
Stan was one of seven siblings – the second child and first son of Art and Lil. He leaves an older sister, Eleanor (Don) Funk, three younger sisters – Audrey (Dennis) Ens, Charlotte (Roger) Bueckert, Laura (Robert) Bueckert and two younger brothers – Jonathan Nickel and Lyndon Nickel. As well as nephews and nieces and many cousins.
He was raised in Aberdeen – on the farm. He did not like farming although he did participate in 4-H when he was younger. And he did love horses – especially his Thouroughbred mare, Byrd. He still fondly displayed her saddle and bridle – and he teared up whenever he talked about her. And he gained valuable skills on the farm that served him well the rest of his life. He could weld, fabricate parts from the junk pile, drive anything, and fix anything. That was his claim anyway – although that claim could be questioned. There was that brake issue on the grain truck that he drove down the river hill, across the ferry and into the river. He never could fully explain that.
After an early exit from the public school system he attended Swift Current Bible Institute for a short but eventful and still talked about time. The stories of his antics there are legendary.
He rode a lot for community pastures around the province and loved that job. He was also the grader operator for the R.M. of Aberdeen and still proudly carried a certificate in his wallet from 1973 stating that he was a trained grader operator. There aren’t many of those given out – or so he was told. And he severely critiqued every other grader operator on the planet. Apparently holding a grader certificate gave you that authority.
He drove a coach for a tour bus company and had endless stories of the places that he’d visited and the people that he’d met and the weather and road conditions that he’d conquered. He also drove gravel truck for many years – he had a lot of miles under his belt. The big silver buckled belt.
He owned a business in Saskatoon called Nickeline Tools where he did auto body and mechanical work. And he spent hours and hours lovingly restoring a 1966 Landau Thunderbird. He continued to work on that thing until literally his dying day! He was so looking forward to driving it down the highway fully restored.
He moved to Leask, SK in 2018 to get away from what he considered the high cost of living in Saskatoon and to recover from back surgery. He threw himself into that community endearing himself to the early morning coffee shop crew and really to everyone who met him. The Leask move also got him closer to his widowed sister and he loved going out to her acreage and helping her with absolutely anything – from rebuilding a road the muskrats had undermined and shooting said muskrats, to moving huge rocks with the tractor, cutting trees, replacing oil pan gaskets – Stan really could do anything. And if he didn’t know how to do something he would ‘smoke on it’ until he figured it out. He had an old briefcase he took with him that held his favorite mechanical tools but very often ended up just getting out his trusted pocket knife to handle most jobs. He used the same knife at turkey dinners.
He had an address book full of phone numbers of friends – old and new – that he would stay in touch with regularly – he was a very faithful friend.
He will be missed.
A Memorial Service will take place on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 2:00pm at Affinity Community Hall in Langham, SK. Click on the link below to watch the live stream.
CLICK HERE FOR LIVE STREAM LINK OF MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THE LATE STANLEY JAMES NICKEL
(A copy of the live stream will also be available to view after the service at the link above.)
Arrangements entrusted to Dalmeny Funeral Home 306-254-2022.
12 Comments
Well Stan we were only a couple of days from getting that sewing machine running, I wish you could’ve had a chance to use it. Happy trails buddy keep your seat in your saddle and your feet in the stirrups. I will catch up with you on the other side.
Stan, you were quite the character. You definitely marched to the beat of your own drum while in this world, not everyone can say that. Thank you for always being a willing taste tester along with uncle Harold when I tried out new recipes. I can not believe that 47 years have past. I will miss your loving friendship. I know that you and uncle Harold will have those roads in heaven as smooth as a babies bottom for the rest of us to come. Good bye for now my friend. We will meet again I know in the next lifetime.
You were a great friend! RIP Stan
Stan was a very unique and special fellow, I am sure everyone who ever crossed paths with Stan will remember him fondly.
I got to meet Stan at a few of the family gatherings. Someone said they broke the mould when they made him and I could not disagree with that. Family gatherings needed coffee on early! If it wasn’t, those who were there heard somewhat about it. It was good that he was able to go and help Laura with the things that needed done.
Sorry to hear this news. Stan was just so much fun to be around. I’ll always remember him with fondness and a smile. The knife, the buckle, the Thunderbird the man. Stan, I looked up that nick name you gave me, it means “Friend.”
Our condolences to all those who loved Stan. Stan at one part of his life was a brother in law to Patty and I. Stan had the gift of the gab and could string great stories and at times a little “BS”! He truly loved giving us rides in his Thunderbird. I related well with Stan , my cowboy hats were not always as big as his and my belt buckles certainly smaller! He will be missed!
Our deepest sympathy.
Stan and I traded T-bird parts. Our shared passion. Never an issue with money. We got along well. Rest in peace, Stan.
You were the last old true cowboy Stan and one hell of an honourable man. I had the luxury of calling you my friend these last few years. I will truly miss you. You were always the one guy I could count on no matter what and you always did anything you could to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. The world needs more men like you Stan but you were a one of a kind that can never be replaced. Rest easy Cowboy
I just watched the service from Memramcook NB. I ached to be there with everybody but it was fun to watch from here. We used to run into Stan around town and always had a good visit. Years ago Stan and my dad Uncle Albert would go for coffee. With the passing of Stan Jon is now my most eccentric cousin ha ha.
Leesa and I joined in on Stan’s celebration of life live from Lacombe Alberta. So good to hear Stan’s siblings telling awesome stories about my larger-than-life cousin! Thanks for making the service available and may God bless you all as you continue to deal with the loss of your friend and brother.
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