Tribute

Fred passed away unexpectedly but peacefully at home in Duncan BC at the age of 85. Born in Gravelbourg Saskatchewan to parents Karl and Eugenia Nagel and raised on a farm in Spring Valley, he worked in mining in Sudbury, Ontario before moving west to settle in Trail BC in 1951, where he spent most of his life. In retirement he and his wife Margaret moved to Vancouver Island, living first in Chemainus and then Duncan, to be closer to their grandchildren.   Predeceased by his wife of 57 years, Margaret J. Nagel, who he married in 1954, his brothers Carl, Edgar and Gerald; his sisters Marie Rossworm, Emma Swift, Ida Thurston, Ella Hirschmiller, and Frances Unilowsky and is survived by his sister Agnes Trask.   Fred will be dearly missed by his daughters Gaylene Nagel of Manhattan Beach CA and Penny Moffat (Jack) of Saltair BC; his beloved granddaughters, Crystal Banks (Brian) and Jade Carver (Dustin) and his precious great-grandchildren Colton (8) and Callia (5) Banks, all on Vancouver Island.  In his years of service to the City of Trail, Fred touched many lives. He served with the Trail Fire Dept. for over 25 years and also completed many Industrial First Aid courses so he could be active with the BC Ambulance Service. He owned and operated the Trail Driving School for over a decade and taught many community members to drive. Fred was often a volunteer or participant in many community activities through the years including Silver City Day Parades, Christmas Tree bonfires, tree lighting on the Esplanade, Birchbank picnics, Club Steak Frys and was a seasoned competitor in annual Golf tournaments in Rossland and Trail.  Fred was an active member of the community holding memberships in various clubs and organizations including the Eagles, the Legion, the Knights of Columbus, Birchbank Golf Course, Rossland-Trail Golf & Country Club and Red Mountain Ski Club. An avid outdoorsman, he spent much of his leisure time fishing with friends at his cabin at Kootenay Lake, golfing, skiing, playing pool, tennis, bocce, darts and horseshoes. Anyone that knew Fred knows he loved competition, and he even competed in the 1989 and 1995 BC Seniors Games in Table Tennis and Snooker taking first and second respectively. After his retirement from the Trail Fire Department he was active in Senior Centers in Castlegar, and after his move to the Island, in Chemainus and Duncan.   Although we mourn our great loss, we will celebrate the life of a great man, and a life well lived.   At Fred's request, the family will have a private burial ceremony at Cedar Valley Memorial.