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Nick passed away peacefully June 23, 2016 at Mills Memorial Hospital after a very courageous battle with Cancer.

Nick was born on June 16, 1935 on the family farm in Usherville, Saskatchewan. Nick was the 15th of 17 children born to Kandra and Lena Palagian. Nick worked on the family farm as a young man, but his older brother and the mountains of British Columbia called him to go west in 1957. He started his logging career in the Lakes District then moved to Terrace in 1959. Nick worked in many areas around Terrace, Kitimat and the Nass Valley with some of the best contractors of the day, Skoglund Logging, Tower Logging (Alex Houlden and John Sarich). In 1967 Nick decided it was time to go out on his own and formed a falling company that would contract for Silver Grizzly logging, West Fraser and later Terrace Timber. At the height of logging in the Terrace Kitimat area Nick employed as many as 51 people. Nick had a very successful career as a contractor and taught many the art of falling big timber and doing it in a safe manner. Nick retired from active falling at the age of 71 and at the age of 73 pursued his dream to mine for gold in Dawson City. During his very active life Nick loved to play baseball, playing throughout his life with many teams, then joining the senior’s team and winning a gold medal at the senior’s games. Even at the age of 70 the younger teams would call on him when they needed a spare. Nick was also very active in Loggers Sports right up until he was in his 70’s, earning many trophies all over the province including the PNE in Vancouver, where he was honored with the highest accolade in that sport “Bull of the Woods” several times. He was a man who loved to work and had to stay busy at all times, whether that was falling trees, cutting grass, or working on his many rental properties. Nick was a very generous man who helped countless people when they needed it.

Nick was predeceased by his parents, 15 brothers and sisters (11 brothers and 4 sisters) and many friends, co-workers and extended family.

Nick is survived by his sister Doreen Scherban, his children Douglas (Dorothy), Sharalyn (Gary) and their Mother Karalyn, grandchild Lydia and great grandchildren Seth and Liam, niece linda and many extended family.

Nick beat the odds many times over the last 4 ½ years while battling cancer. When the disease tried to get him, he got up and fought back and always lived life by his terms, “this cancer isn't going to get me, I've got work to do”.

Nick's family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Mills Memorial Hospital, the amazing staff in oncology and especially Dr. J Fourie.

There will be a celebration

of Nick's amazing life on July 24th

at the Thornhill Pub from 1 pm to 3 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the

Dr. REM Lee foundation.



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