Thomas Franklin "Tom" Nickiforek

October 28, 1954 - December 2, 2019
On December 2, 2019, Thomas (Tom) Franklin Nickiforek, our beloved husband, father and papa, passed away suddenly at the age of 65 years.
He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Barbara (nee Maidment), with whom he had been with since high school, almost 50 years. Their four children, Holly Nickiforek; Heather (Terry) Seguin and their children Maeve, Eli and Autumn, Michael Nickiforek and Hayley Nickiforek and her children Hunter, Hayden and Hudson. Two sisters Melodie (Ryan) Susheski and Wanda (David) Coates, one brother Sam (Sandy) Nickiforek and his biological father Gerald Koebernick (Johanna). His mother-in-law Betty Maidment, sisters-in-law Kathryn (Ray) Girard and Susan Mitchell and two brothers-in-law Michael (Val) Maidment and Reginald (Dana) Maidment. Tom also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles, as well as many other extended family and wonderful friends.
Tom was predeceased earlier this year by his mom Grace Nickiforek, his father Samuel Nickiforek (1990), his father-in-law Dr. Reginald Maidment (2012), his sister Lori Ann (1989) and his brother Keith (1957).
Tom was born in Vernon, BC on October 28, 1954 and has called Vernon home for all of his life. Tom loved spending time with his large family and friends, he was always the first to invite you in for a drink or a cup of coffee. Tom loved to laugh and socialize and was kind to everyone he knew. His personality was hard to miss, he was always willing to share his opinion and knowledge and was a stubborn man with the best of intentions. Always a family man first, he spent as much time with his children and grandchildren as possible. Tom's other hobbies included a vast love for hunting, fishing and camping trips.
Tom was also a man with many talents. He was a welder in the Boilermaker union and highly recognized as a preferred welder in BC and AB at the height of his career. There was nothing Tom couldn't build himself, from his family's home to the cabin on the lake. Tom loved making things for his family to enjoy.
Due to accidents he sustained in 2012 and 2018, Tom was forced to retire from his job as a Boilermaker and Welder. After a two year struggle with the brain injury he sustained in 2018 Tom could no longer keep going with the physical, emotional and mental pain. The loss of the ability to enjoy and do all the things that he loved was devastating. Tom was always regarded as a strong, hardworking man and if he could have found a way to beat this he would have.
Although gone far too soon Tom will be forever remembered, honoured and loved by his family until we meet again.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the BC Brain Injury Association.
Please join us as we celebrate Tom on Saturday August 27th. The memorial will be held at 2 PM at All Saints Anglican Church, 3205-27th St., followed by refreshments at the family home, 4612 Valleyview Place.