Obituary of Lee George Joseph Nantel

NANTEL: Lee George Joseph Nantel 1942-2012. Eulogy for Lee Nantel, given by Mr. Brent White on November 19, 2012 in Brandon, Manitoba. It is my honour today to say good words about Lee Nantel. Lee was born in Schumacher, Ontario on October 17, 1942. For those of you a bit weak on your Canadian Geography- as I was until yesterday -Schumacher is very close to Timmins - so close that some say it is now a part of Timmins. Some prominent native sons and daughters are Frank Mahavalich - former NHLer and now a Canadian senator, and Shania Twain. And, of course Lee Nantel. Schumacher is also very close to Iroquois Falls, and the principle activity in all of these communities is mining- hard rock mining- mining for gold. In 1942, there was a war on and times were hard. Lee was part of a family with two sisters who survive Lee: Jeaninne Nantel and Gaetanne Orsztynowicz. Lee grew up fluently bilingual in this hard working, hard living, hard drinking and hard rock mining town. Lee took particular joy in taunting his sisters and this left little time for sports. Besides, Lee's family had to make do with very little as was the case for most of the families of that day. At the rustic cabin near Timmins there were many fond memories- and Lee knew the two essential elements for R&R- enough firewood and enough beer. Lee never took a chance of running out on either. Lee had hard rock mining in his blood, and in his early 20's he started a series of moves that followed jobs in various mines in communities such as Thompson and Leaf Rapids, Manitoba, Pickle Lake in Northwestern Ontario and Sparwood, British Columbia. Lee lived his life with bi-polar illness and each of these moves presented a new start and an answer he hoped for life's challenges. Mining is a difficult and dangerous occupation and Lee was injured on the job- at one point requiring a lengthy period in hospital. He fought his way back and was able to pass the physical to get back to the job. He also managed to earn several suspensions for not using required personal protective equipment like masks and such, and all of this contributed to health challenges later in life. In 1978, something pretty important happened for Lee that would change his life for the better. He met Debbie Wright by chance, through his sister who was living in Brandon at the time, and attended a ceramics class with Debbie. For all of us that knew Lee, there is something quite significant that it was "ceramics" and his sister that brought them together. In 1982, they became a team (Debbie's term) and moved to follow mining jobs in some of the communities I have mentioned including that exciting metropolis of Pickle Lake, Ontario. Given the difficulty of the mining jobs it isn't uncommon for miners to retire early, Lee and Debbie decided to give that up and in 1984 they moved back to Brandon to be closer to Debbie's family. In 1993, Debbie and Lee were married. I am not sure who was the driving force on that decision, but I do know that Lee knew that Debbie was the force that kept his life on track in so many ways. As we know, there isn't much mining in Brandon and Lee tried a number of different jobs in Brandon, but as a miner at heart he found the transition a challenge. I remember seeing Lee working at Brandon's snooker hall- now the Seventh Street Health Access Centre- chomping a cheap and unlit cigar and keeping all of the unruly patrons in line with just a look and the occasional growl. But, behind the gruff exterior was a truly large heart. Lee started his last career in 1995 to work as a Mental Health Proctor. Some would say there is very little in mining that prepares one for working in this field- and they would be right. But, Lee had a great deal of hard-earned experience living with his own bi-polar illness- and that included experience with what could work and certainly what didn't work. Lee was very excited in his new role and quickly went out and purchased a van- just in case he needed to give rides to larger numbers of people. It didn't really matter that he didn't need the van because Lee loved to purchase vehicles- and not just any vehicle would do. There were cars and trucks with style and substance- and I remember a chain of them. His most recent purchase was his beloved Monte Carlo. Debbie told me last week that he went out with a practical list of what he needed for a vehicle- good gas mileage, four doors and such, and with an $8,000 budget... and he came home with a $12,000 two door pace car from the Nascar racing circuit. Classic Lee. Lee was very pleased to work as a Proctor for 15 years and received a long service clock a few years back- a point of considerable pride. He loved the fact that he this was a new and very different role and that he could help others. Some thought that Lee would not last at this job, but he loved it and carried it on to his very last day. He was always appreciative of the support and guidance of the various Mental Health workers, the chance to work with different clients who he valued as friends, and help from Debbie completing the paperwork. Over the course of the last few months, I have been meeting with Lee at Tim Horton's (Lee's choice) to talk about his retirement. In addition to Debbie's upcoming retirement, Lee's health over the last year - well decade for that matter, has been difficult. I remember a very long night in 2003 with Debbie and Lee in hospital and it looking rather grim. Lee was not expected to make the night, but Lee rallied with the support of many doctors and the ICU staff. Lee was able to make some of the needed lifestyle changes at that time, again with Debbie at his side, with equal parts loving encouragement and stern direction. Lee has been working less hours as a Proctor over the past few years, but he looked forward to his days each week at work. These days gave him a structure to the week and he was having a very hard time letting go. He enjoyed his last client's quiet ways and the many activities that they shared. Telling about Lee were his thoughts that when he retired he could provide transportation for seniors with health problems, and he wanted me to make sure his last client had someone else to take his place. Lee loved snooker, darts, fishing, campfires and barbecue. He had a special way to connect with some of the folks who had a hard time getting out there with others, and understood the value of a change of scenery, a "crop inspection" and an open fire. He loved to watch sports-live curling here in Brandon or on TV. He loved the Blue Jays and the Calgary Flames. He loved the remote- just ask Debbie. He also loved to surprise Debbie with his personal shopping skills. He phoned home one time and asked her to measure the top of a cabinet, and then shortly thereafter a 51 inch flat screen arrived in their home. Lee loved Canada. Throughout the years, Lee and Debbie have travelled to many parts of our country missing only the Maritimes. Lee thought Canada has so much to offer he couldn't understand why people went elsewhere- hence the Maple Leaf, a hockey player, the Rocky Mountains and the Ottawa Clock Tower on the program today. In our recent conversations, Lee was full of gratitude, and didn't utter a complaint- I think he saved those for Debbie. He recently turned 70- he thought of all of these last years as bonus years and in spite of failing health and the NHL lock- out, he was so pleased to have the people and things in his life that made it meaningful. Lee loved Debbie. He so appreciated the stability and love that she brought to his life and credited her in our very last conversation with helping him make those 70 years. Lee passed away November 10, 2012 and leaves behind his sisters, an extended family with many nieces and nephews, friends and his wife Debbie. As per Lee's wishes and plans, interment will follow in Val Gagny, Ontario when he and Debbie will be joined together again in eternity. Lee will be missed, by all of us here today, and perhaps by more friends than he realized.