Michael Dennis Nickle

Michael Dennis Nickle passed away peacefully at home in Leavenworth, WA on July 29, 2020. Present were Cathy and Wayne Morgan, his sister and brother-in-law, who provided loving care during his illness. He is preceded in death by his parents, and his sister Patricia Nelson and niece Laura Dalman of Sutter, CA. He is survived by his daughter, Kathleen Nickle, and son, Daniel Nickle, both of Novato, CA, by his sister Cathy and her husband Wayne Morgan of Leavenworth, WA. He is also survived by many nephews and nieces, as well as great-nephews and great-nieces, cousins, and beloved family friends. Born April 25, 1944 in Alameda, CA to John and Evelyn Nickle, he spent his childhood in Oakland and his teen years in Hayward, CA. Michael graduated from Tennyson High School in Hayward, CA and attended Chabot College. He was also a graduate of the Cordon Bleu Cooking School in Paris, France. A lifelong learner, he was a voracious reader who acquired great knowledge and expertise in history, archeology, anthropology, mythology, languages, music, classic films and cooking. He worked at Consolidated Freightways at various Bay Area locations for 35 years and then retired. Michael also received recognition from the Marin County Historical Society for his multiple contributions in genealogical research during his hundreds of hours of volunteer efforts in the 1990s and early 2000s. With his daughter Katy, he loved watching and playing along with the TV show, Jeopardy, and watching old movies. Every Halloween they shared a horror-movie-marathon and would stay up well past midnight watching cheesy horror flicks. Michael would also spend hours with his son Daniel playing video games, or just watching and talking with Daniel, encouraging him as he played. And neither of his children would ever skip his famous Sunday morning breakfasts. His quick-witted humor was legendary among family and friends. On a trip to Hawaii, he stayed in a high-rise hotel and when he went down to the pool, there were no chairs, lounges (or even towels) immediately available. So, Michael simply laid down on the concrete, spread-eagle. A server stopped and asked, "Are you OK sir?" to which Michael immediately replied, "Oh sure, but that is a long drop down from my 18th floor balcony." The stunned server dropped his tray in momentary horror. A gifted storyteller true to his Irish ancestry, Michael loved telling funny stories of generations past. Some of his favorite memories were of family parties at his parent's house in Hayward. These were regular parties that involved food, stories, wine and a great deal of music and dancing. Late in life Michael would talk fondly of those times. Michael was a unique, brilliant, funny, talented loving man, a great father, a wonderful brother and uncle, and his family and friends will forever miss him dearly.

Michael Dennis Nickle

April 25, 1944 - July 29, 2020