Obituary of Stanley John Nabigon

NABIGON, Stanley John - November 11, 1956 – February 22, 2026 - Stanley John Nabigon, who would often introduce himself with a grin as “Stanley John Wayne Joseph David Cassidy Nabigon”, passed away suddenly at home on Sunday February 22, 2026, at the age of 69.

Born on November 11, 1956, in Thunder Bay, Stan was a proud Ojibwe man of the Loon Clan. He was predeceased by his parents, Camille and Ruby, his daughter Alishia, and his siblings Edward, Alvina, Dorothy, Imelda, Christopher, Wilferd, and Adele. He is lovingly remembered by his wife Alice; his children Erin (Jeffrey) and Vincent (Amber); his cherished grandchildren Dexter, Corbin, Kenley, Adelyn, Spencer and Joshua; and his siblings Darcy and Delphine. Stan and Alice had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Stan was always teased about landing his “hot blonde wife,” and he wore that title proudly. Alice often told the story of their early days together-Stan arriving with bottles of Coke, hot dogs, and buns, and the two of them feasting over a simple fire. Alice shared that when she first kissed Stan, she felt electricity and knew she was meant to be with him. Their life together was built on laughter, loyalty, and an unshakeable partnership that carried them through five decades side by side.

Stan began his working life at the Marathon Pulp Mill before building a 30-year career at Pukaskwa National Park. The land was never just a workplace to him, it was something sacred, something to be respected and protected. Many colleagues from the park have reached out in recent days, sharing stories and offering condolences. Again and again, one theme emerges: Stan was a storyteller. He shaped many careers, mentored countless people, and left a lasting imprint on those who walked the trails and backcountry alongside him. He also served as Fire Chief for his community for over 30 years. In that role, as in so many others, he was steady, dependable, and quietly brave. Over time, he became the patriarch of the family, the one everyone turned to when something needed fixing, deciding, or steadying. Stan loved to tell stories of his childhood on the reserve. One favourite was about the shiny red fire truck he received as a boy. He loved it so much that he didn’t want anyone else to play with it, so he buried it. He would laugh as he admitted he never did find where he buried that truck. It was one of many stories that revealed both his humour and the little boy that always remained inside him. His years at Pukaskwa provided no shortage of stories: coming upon a bear in its winter den in the backcountry, standing face-to-face with a wolf that seemed to smile at him. Stan spoke of these moments not with fear, but with awe, as encounters between beings who shared the same land. But of all his titles: Park Warden, Fire Chief, Mentor, Patriarch, the one he cherished most was Poppy. He proudly wore T-shirts declaring “My favourite people call me Poppy,” including the one he wore on his final night. Anyone who knew him would agree the feeling was mutual. To Dexter, Corbin, Kenley, and Adelyn, he was larger than life. He was their playmate, teacher, protector, and their biggest fan. He invented games for his grandchildren, including “Sho Sho Baggy,” inspired by his own childhood memories of climbing to the top of a tree with his brother Darcy and swaying wildly in the wind. He also won over hockey teams with laughter and mischief, including the legendary “towel trick” demonstration that left a group of ten-year-old boys in stitches and cemented his status as the coolest Dad in the room. Stan’s gift for storytelling was more than entertainment. It was how he taught. It was how he connected. It was how he passed down courage, humour, and memory. Through his stories he taught resilience, respect for the land, and how to not take life too seriously. He leaves behind a legacy rooted in love, service, and laughter. The land will remember him. His community will remember him. And his family will carry his stories forward until we see him again in the Happy Hunting Grounds. Miigwech, Stan-the-Man

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A Celebration of his life will be held at the Biigtigong Community Centre on Friday February 27, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.