Nelson Samuel Durdle
Passed on: October 31st, 2017
It is with deep and heavy sadness that we announce the passing of Nelson Samuel Durdle, on October 31, 2017 after a brief and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. Nelson was a lover of sports! He was a lifelong participant in many of them: baseball, hockey, curling, bowling and golf. If you visited him at home, he always had a game on TV! Nelson was also a proud son of Cape Breton. His pride of Nova Scotia was evident everywhere, in his home, on his clothing, in conversation and in his dreams. Though he spent most of his life away, he always yearned for home.
Nelson was born on January 13, 1936 in New Waterford, Nova Scotia. He was the oldest of ten children to Everett and Patricia (nee Samuel) Durdle. As a young man, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and a Fire Fighter was born. During one of his postings, he met and fell in love with Audrey (nee Righton) Durdle. While posted to Gimili, Manitoba, they welcomed four children, Deborah, Donna, Darren and Deanna, which they lovingly called their four D’s. Nelson spent most of his career on the prairies. After 26 years with the Canadian Armed Forces, he retired as a Sergeant in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. Not long afterwards, he and Audrey moved to Medicine Hat, Alberta where they thoroughly enjoyed their retirement.
Loved ones that cleared the path for Nelson are, his beloved wife, Audrey Barbara Anne Durdle; his parents, Everett and Patricia Durdle; brother, Wally Durdle, and sister, Joyce Crane.
Loved ones that will miss Nelson until they meet again are, daughters, Deborah Bayley, Donna Mainville and Deanna Durdle Lowe; son, Darren Durdle; sons-in-law, JP Mainville and Randy Austin; daughter-in-law, Charlene Durdle; grandchildren, Kalysta and Sean Mainville, Amber and Christopher Lowe, Tyler and Cody Durdle; great grandchildren, Jackson Durdle and Athena Lowe, as well as his siblings, Brenda Pastuck, Judy Green, Billy Durdle, Donnie Durdle, Freddie Durdle, Everett Durdle and Jean Hoffman.
Nelson was a man that was well loved and will be terribly missed. His memory will be cherished forever. Family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff in 2N of the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital for the exceptional care, compassion and attention they bestowed on dad over the last 8 months.
“Yes, they’ll all come to see me
In the shade of that old oak tree
As they lay me ‘neath the green, green grass of home”
The funeral service will be held in the PATTISON CHAPEL (Medicine Hat, Alberta) on Friday, November 17, 2017 at 3 p.m. with Rev. Robert Findley officiating.
As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to your local Alzheimer Society. To e-mail an expression of sympathy, please direct it to: pattfh@telusplanet.net subject heading: Nelson Durdle, or you may visit www.pattisonfuneralhome.com and leave a message of condolence.
Arrangements are by the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM 540 South Railway St. SE, Medicine Hat, T1A 2V6. Please call 1-866-526-2214 for further information.
