Geoffrey Arthur Nancekivell
Nancekivell, Geoffrey Arthur passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, August 22nd, 2026, surrounded by family in Whitehorse, Yukon.
Born in 1948 on a military base in San Antonio, Texas, as an infant Geoff and his family soon returned to Canada where he was raised in the large metropolises of Toronto, Ottawa, and Montréal. As the son of a military physician, while Geoff moved several times throughout his childhood and adolescence, his beloved family cottage in Québec was a beacon he cherished and remained his North Star throughout his life. Here he treasured time with cousins and shared his contagious love of, and enthusiasm for, nature and all its wondrous creatures. A beautiful legacy that he passed down with passion to younger generations of his family.
After graduating from Queen’s University in the Spring of 1971, his keen sense of adventure led him to travel to Australia, where he lived and worked for two years. While there, he met an Aussie, Helen, who became the love of his life and, in 1973, they married and permanently relocated to Canada. On their journey home, the couple made their way across Asia, travelling overland and exploring Nepal, northern India, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Turkey along the way.
Once back in Canada, Geoff earned his Masters Degree in Criminology from the University of Ottawa. His strong desire to help and mentor others launched his career as a Probation and Parole Officer with Ontario Correctional Services. Eventually, after living and working in both Ottawa and Toronto, Geoff and family settled in North Bay, Ontario, where he continued his work in the justice system and, after over thirty years of service, retired as Manager of Professional and Shared Services with the then Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Once retired, Geoff continued to pursue his devotion to youth justice issues and young offenders by volunteering his time mediating restorative justice circles.
Geoff is predeceased by his parents Beatrice (Calhoun) Nancekivell and Arthur Frank Nancekivell, as well as by his loving wife of 44 years Mary Helen (McGregor) Nancekivell. Geoff is survived by his adoring daughter Natasha Nancekivell, his loving grandson Sébastien Tucker; son in law Paul Tucker; sister Diane Nancekivell, and nephew Christopher Pearson. He leaves behind many cousins in Canada, Australia, and the United States.
An informal gathering in memory of Geoff will be held at the family cottage at a later date.
Friends and family are invited to make a donation to the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies or to the Canadian Red Cross in Geoff’s name.
