Corporal Nigel Ross Paterson M.O.M, R.C.M.P. (Ret'd)

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Corporal Nigel Ross Paterson M.O.M., R.C.M.P. (Ret'd)

JUNE 14, 1955 – JULY 7, 2024

It is with ineffable sadness that we announce the passing of Nigel Ross Paterson. He passed away on July 7, 2024, in Nanaimo, B.C. surrounded by the beauty of the mountains and the sea. He will be missed beyond words and loved forever by his wife of 46 years, Cheryl, and his daughter Christina.

Nigel was born on June 14, 1955, in Bedford, England. His parents Dr. Ian and Daphne Paterson moved with Nigel to Canada in 1957, eventually settling in Nanaimo in 1971.

Nigel first met Cheryl Best in Grade 11 French Class at Nanaimo District Secondary School. They had both moved to Nanaimo shortly before, Cheryl from Chemainus and Nigel from Vancouver. Nigel was a member of the “Reach for the Top” team that won the B.C. Championship and proceeded on to the National competition in Ottawa in 1973. They graduated from NDSS in 1973.

Nigel attended Selkirk College in Castlegar for 2 years, graduating with a Diploma of Aviation Technology in 1975.

He then worked for Time Air in Lethbridge for a year, as a freight agent. He applied for the RCMP in June 1976 in Lethbridge and moved back to Nanaimo in August. He worked for a short time for Crown Zellerbach’s Youbou operation in the Nitinat, near Cowichan Lake, as a chokerman and a road surveyor.

Nigel was sworn in as a regular member of the RCMP on April 1, 1977, and left for Regina the same day. He spent the next 6 months training at Depot as a member of Troop 1, 77/78, graduating on October 3, 1977. His first posting was Strathmore Detachment, east of Calgary. Nigel and Cheryl were engaged on December 16, 1977, and married on May 5, 1978, on the lawn of the Inn of the Sea at Yellowpoint, B.C., overlooking Stuart Channel where they had spent so many happy times sailing while they were dating. Christina was born on October 24, 1982, in Calgary. During this time Nigel spent time on Detachment, Highway Patrol and Municipal policing duties, as well as a two-week posting in Hinton in January 1982.

Christina was three weeks old when the family transferred to Assumption, 70 miles west of High Level for a two-year posting. In September 1984, Nigel was transferred to Banff. Nigel’s first posting in Banff spanned 11 years. His most well-known case was the tragic murder of Lucie Turmel which occurred on May 17, 1990, only a few months after Banff became a municipality. This case is still the pre-eminent DNA trial in Canada, where a suspect was convicted almost entirely by circumstantial evidence. It was also a ground-breaking case in Canada in relation to the science of DNA itself. The Turmel case kept Nigel occupied for over 4 years. In 1995, Nigel was offered a position as an Applied Police Sciences Instructor at the RCMP Training Academy, “Depot” Division, Regina. He was transferred to Regina in May 1995. Nigel was promoted to Corporal upon taking up his Instructors duties. He was assigned to Troop 4, 95/96, Troop 21, 95/96, and Troop 8, 96/97 during his posting in Regina. Nigel transferred back to Banff Municipal Detachment in August of 1996; this posting was to last almost 4 years. Nigel was transferred to Banff General Investigation Section in October 1998. In May 2000, Nigel was transferred to Calgary Criminal Intelligence Section. He would spend the next year investigating Organized Crime while commuting to and from Banff. Nigel was transferred back to Banff for the last time in July 2001 as part of the National Parks Policing Initiative. Nigel decided on a career change and so he took a leave of absence without pay in September 2001 to stand as a candidate for Town Council in the Banff Municipal Election. In October 2001 he was elected as a Councillor, topping the polls. He resumed his RCMP duties a week after the election, becoming the first legally elected member to combine both roles in the history of Canada.

Nigel retired from the RCMP on April 3, 2002, after a career of 25 years. He had done a total of 16 years of his service in Banff. No member in the Force, since the Northwest Mounted Police established the first detachment in 1886, had ever come close to matching this record of service to the community.

Nigel was appointed as a member of the Order of Merit of the Police Forces (M.O.M.) on February 27, 2002. This order was created by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2000 to honour careers of Police Officers of exceptional distinction. Other honours and awards, received by Nigel over the years include the following,

1989 – The Alberta Emergency Services Medal (AESM) honours emergency services personnel who are involved in supporting emergency prevention, preparedness, and response in Alberta. (12-year award medal.)

1992 - Medal to commemorate the 125th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation (Awarded by the Governor General to Canadians who are actively involved in community service.)

1994 – Commendation from the Officer Commanding Calgary Sub/Division, RCMP – awarded for dedication, tenacity and ingenuity displayed in the investigation of the Lucie Turmel homicide at Banff, Alberta.

1997 – Medal for long service and good conduct in the RCMP (20 years’ service.)

2000 – Police Community Relations Award for Alberta, Alberta Provincial Chapter, IODE

2000 - Police Community Relations Award for Canada, National Chapter of Canada, IODE (selected as recipient by Commissioner Phillip Murray of the RCMP.)

2001 – Bronze Bar for The Alberta Emergency Services Medal (22-year award.)

2002 – Bronze Clasp to the Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct in the RCMP (25 years’ service.)

2005 - Alberta Centennial Medal (awarded to outstanding Albertans who had made a significant contribution to society and to honour their contributions.)

2019 - Alberta Police Officer Long Service Recognition Medal for Twenty Years Long Service in Alberta.

Nigel and Cheryl loved to go to Banff during the early years of their marriage, and being posted there with the RCMP was the fulfillment of their dreams. All the friendships and memories that were made in Banff held a special place in his heart. Some of Nigel’s fondest memories were spent hiking to the Plain of Six Glaciers and the Lake Agnes Teahouse, followed by a well-earned Fondue dinner at the Chateau Lake Louise. Nights away at Storm Mountain Lodge, Johnston Canyon and camping at Two Jack Lake were all happy breaks away from work. And countless delicious meals and laughs were shared with friends. Nigel and Cheryl loved to entertain.

Following retirement from the RCMP, Nigel worked at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and Canada Post.

In 2007, the decision was made to move to Nanaimo to be closer to family. Nigel continued to work with Canada Post in Nanaimo and then began a 15-year career in the Wine Industry. Nigel also worked at his daughter’s restaurant as the head Server and Sommelier.

Over the past 17 years, living on Vancouver Island, Nigel enjoyed living by the ocean, spending time on his sailboat, reading his history books and tending to his beautiful garden while listening to the Beach Boys. He loved spending time with his two beautiful German Shepherds which he adored, Thor and Chorey, taking them for walks on the beach and swims in the ocean. There have been many wonderful family vacations, a favorite being the annual road trip to Cannon Beach, Oregon and then on to visiting wineries in the Willamette Valley. Many happy local trips were also enjoyed to Victoria, Tofino, and Vancouver. Nigel had an incredible knowledge and passion for wine. Nigel loved nothing more than to have a delicious meal paired with a special bottle of wine from his cellar. Nigel was intelligent, articulate, patient, kind, caring, generous and always had a smile on his face. He was always willing to lend a helping hand. Nigel had an immense love for his family and friends, and he will be deeply missed by so many.

We will hold on to the memories of the beautiful life we had. We will never forget the unconditional love you had for us. We will spend the rest of our lives missing you and loving you. We will forever honour your life and legacy and your service to Canada. We will find strength and comfort in the days ahead by remembering all the good you did in this world. You lead a life that was devoted to your family, community and helping others. The values you instilled in us, will influence our decisions in life now and always.

Those we love never really leave us.

Organizations which Nigel has belonged to include the following –

Bow Valley Victim Services

Bow Valley Committee for the Prevention of Family Violence

Calgary RCMP Veterans Association

Rotary Club of Banff

Banff Canmore Foundation

Cascade Lodge No. 5

Banff Shrine Club

Royal Canadian Legion, Colonel Moore Branch

Central Vancouver Island RCMP Veterans Association

Rotary Club of Nanaimo

Gyro Club of Nanaimo

The Nanaimo Gladiolus and Dahlia Society

The Nanaimo Kennel Club

Donations in Nigel’s memory can be made to the following organizations: Banff Canmore Foundation; Wounded Warriors Canada; Bow Valley Victim Services Association; Banff Mount Temple Chapter IODE.

A service will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2024 at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 100 Chapel St, Nanaimo, B.C. at 11am. Reception to follow at the Nest Bistro.

A service will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024 at St. George’s in the Pines Anglican Church, 100 Beaver Street, Banff, AB at 1pm. Reception to follow at the Royal Canadian Legion Colonel Moore Branch #26, 92 Banff Avenue.