NICOLL, Robert Douglas
1933-2021. The Family of Robert Douglas (Doug) Nicoll is saddened to announce his passing on November 14, 2021 at the age of 87 years. Born in New Waterford, NS, he was a son of the late Robert Gerald and Dorothy (Macdonnell) Nicoll.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Marion (Drysdale); sons: Glenn (Pamela King), Tantallon, NS; Ken (Susan), Leduc, AB; Stephen (Tammy), Calgary, AB; daughter: Beth (Roland) Popadynetz, St. Albert, AB; former spouse and mother of his five children, Carol (Ingram), St. Albert, AB; grandchildren: Jaimie, Ryan, Dana (Ashley) Popadynetz, Sydnie (Farzad Taheri), Amanda (Owen Fairweather) Edmunds, Sarah, Nikita (Jody) Gylander, Cory Edmunds, Katie Yurkoski, Emily; great-grandchildren: Andrew, Cassandra, Brooklynn, Carter, Connor, Remy, Ava, Kaelyn, Holten, Rhiannon, Weston, Rumi; brothers: Roger, William (Sheila), Arthur; sister: Edythe (Wayne) Cooke; brothers-in-law: Frank Davis; sisters-in-law: Libby, Gertie, Pauline Grace, Sam Bowmaster; several nieces and nephews.
Aside from his parents, he was predeceased by his beloved son: Gary; brothers: Gerald, Francis, Jimmy, George; sister: Ann Smallshaw; brothersin-law: Ken Smallshaw, Ralph Ingram, Leslie Stymest, sisters-in-law: Therese (Ingram) Stymest, Tina (Banfield), Judy (Ingram) Davis; mothers-inlaw: Adelia (Ingram) Hubley, May (Stevens) Drysdale.
Doug spent his early years growing up in a large family in Mount Uniacke, NS. In 1962 he and his wife Carol moved their young family of five children to the city of Dartmouth where he continued his employment at the Department of National Defense. He later transferred to HMC Dockyard Halifax where he was promoted to foreman of the machine shop. Doug was a man of many trades but being a machinist was his first love and he relished the opportunity to teach and guide others in pursuit of the same. He forged many lifelong friendships with his co-workers, peers, superiors and those who worked under his leadership.
After he retired from HMC Dockyard he returned to his boyhood home of Mount Uniacke, NS and joined the family business with his brother Bill in 1977. In 2006 Doug and his wife Marion moved west to Alberta where he lived out his remaining years with his growing family of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They enjoyed his famous big hugs that were filled with such love. They marvelled at his spoon playing skills, card tricks, willingness to take part in their silliness and the abundance of $5 bills he had in his wallet just waiting to be dispensed at every visit.
He is fondly remembered as a great storyteller, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He had a love of music and played many instruments such as the banjo, guitar, mandolin and fiddle. He enjoyed camping, moose calling, baseball, and hockey. He was a long-standing member of the Royal Canadian Legion. He will be truly missed by all of those whose lives he touched.
A Private Memorial Service will be held in Connelly-mckinley St. Albert Funeral Home on Saturday, November 27th at 2 p.m. To view the service and send condolences, please visit: www.connelly-mckinley.com
Interment will be held at a later date in St. Paul’s United Church Cemetery, Mount Uniacke, NS.
Memorial donations may be made in Doug’s name to St. Albert Sturgeon Hospice Association (SASHA), PO Box 65105, Mission Hill Plaza, St. Albert, AB T8N 5Y3. https://sasha-cares.com
The family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff at Foyer Lacombe Hospice and Dr. Keith Huber. Your caring and support for Doug and his family will always be remembered.
To our wonderful family, friends, co-workers and neighbours we sincerely thank you for making this journey a little easier. Your messages, calls, kindness and support over this past year have meant so much.
Thank you to Debbie Lambert, Marq Jeffrey and the staff of Connelly-mckinley Funeral Home. Your sincerity, kindness and guidance were greatly appreciated. To send condolences, please visit: www.connelly-mckinley.com Connelly-mckinley Funeral Home, St. Albert Chapel, (780) 458-2222.