MARTELL: Nicholas William (Nick)

Oct. 3, 1928 - July 25, 2016

Nick was born 4th of 19 children to Barbara and Sebastian Martell in Allan, Saskatchewan on October 3rd, 1928. He also had 1 half brother and 2 half sisters. Being second son he and his brother Adam grew up looking after the family and the farm, this and his appetite for reading is were he acquired his many talents including his incredible farming knowledge. Nick became an amazing dancer, learning at a very young age while escorting his sisters and driving the buggy to numerous community dances. All the Martell children were avid sports fans and many played high calibre ball including the pitcher Adam and Catcher Nick duo. Nick continued to play ball into his 50’s on a twilight men’s team when he switched gears to become an avid golfer. Anyone who saw Nick golf knew he had played ball by his pull it down the third base line driving technique. Golf allowed him the opportunity to meet and nurture numerous life long friendships. Nick had a few jobs after leaving home, he worked in the logging business in the Carrot River area for one winter. He came home and spent several years helping his brother in law John build his 20,000 hive apiary. In the summer of 1959 Nick started dating a local girl and after a whirlwind romance he married the love of his life, Lois Hawes, in December. They spent 57 glorious years and saw a lot of the world together. This union resulted in a daughter in Dec of 1960 and a son in Dec of 1962. Nick had 7 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren, all of whom thought he walked on water. They could never get enough of his teasing and crazy antics, including his peek-a-boo with the youngest on his last day.
After Nick and Lois married they moved to the Hawes homestead in Guernsey were they made their home, they farmed together in the area until his retirement in 1983 when they moved to Watrous and lived there until his passing. Nick was a progressive farmer and spent many hours in the field during the summer but you could always find him at the curling rink in the winter. Here is where he and his many curling buddies had roaring good times not only curling but also “bonspieling”. After Nick retired he took Lois to sunny Arizona for 20 winters where again he was a popular figure around the park and the pool room. Those of us left behind are going to miss his wit and strength but his golf buddies needed to make another foursome. Now maybe he can get that hole in one, “Wouldn’t that be something”. Nick was predeceased by his mother Barbara and father Sebastian, sisters Anne, Millie, Helen, Peggy, Pattie, Mary, Clara, Evelyn, Mary Bielman and Pauline abd brothers Adam and Andrew. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Lois; daughter Terry Hein; and son Greg Martell; Terry’s spouse Terry Forbes and children Adam (Lisa) Hein, Clinton Hein and Jennifer (Matt) Forbes; Greg’s wife Carol and children Clinton (Stephanie) Martell, Devon (Kelsey) Martell, Kimberley (Jordan) Martell and Halle (Stirling) Martell; great-grandchildren Logan, Megan, Ember, Jasper, Paisley and Jase; sisters Lorraine Smordin and Bertha (Brian) Hamilton and brothers George (Claire) Martel, John (Teddy) Martel and Jake (Shirley) Martel; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Dennis (Joyce) Hawes; and numerous nieces and nephews.