Peter David NICKELS

1954 - 2021

PETER DAVID NICKELS Peter died January 22, 2021 in Toronto at Princess Margaret Hospital after a sudden and short battle with Stage 4 gallbladder cancer. He was born January 26, 1954 in Montreal and raised in Montreal West by his parents Walter and Betty Nickels. He is survived by his children, Ashley, David, Brendan, and Deanna, his son-in-law Tyler, his daughter-in-law Katie, his grandchildren Emma, Maddy, Jake, Kayley, Charlie, and Brayson (and granddogs Bentley and Stella), his sister, Peggy, her husband, Patrick, and their three children, Michael, Erica, and Christopher. A sober member of Alcoholics Anonymous for 32 years, he developed hundreds of close relationships and helped countless people find sobriety and recovery. Peter wore many hats, spending decades as a salesman. He spearheaded many entrepreneurial endeavors, building clocks, repairing wooden furniture, investing in green energy, and trying to bring clean energy to the First Nations reserves. He enjoyed working with his hands and was happy spending a day constructing a bookshelf or digging a rose garden, typically accompanied by colourful and creative uses of profanity when things didn't go according to plan. Peter dedicated himself to a life of community service. He donated clothes, time, and energy to help those less fortunate. He helped build High Park Castle in Toronto, and often spent time there with his kids after it was built. Peter frequently assisted close friends and strangers alike who were struggling. He always had time to listen and share advice. Remarkably energetic, loudly opinionated, highly educated, well read, and always looking for a good verbal sparring, Peter surrounded himself with people who liked to discuss history, politics, sports, books, successes and tragedies, and life itself. He made friends for life, wherever he went; his address book was as packed with names as a telephone book. His exploits were many and we're still finding out about some! While not affiliated with any church or specific religion, Peter practiced Taoism and Buddhism for many years in an endless pursuit of understanding spirituality and the meaning of inner peace. One of the many lessons we can pull from Peter's life is the endless pursuit of knowledge and life itself, how to be courageous enough to have difficult conversations with ourselves and our loved ones so that no resentments linger, and to never, ever give up. Peter deeply loved his children and was delighted with his new grandchildren. He is already greatly missed by family and friends, and will always be remembered as a kind and loving person. At Peter's request, cremation has taken place. The family plans to celebrate his life when COVID restrictions are lifted. In lieu of flowers, donations to Toronto's Sick Kids Hospital or to the Four Villages Community Health Centre would be appreciated.