Obituary
Sadly, we must say goodbye to Didier Nitelet. With amazing fortitude, he battled many health issues for eight-plus years, but he unexpectedly passed away at home in Oakville on January 11, 2023, at age 73. A devoted husband and father, he is survived by his wife Jane and daughter Richelle (Jason Hajek). He was preceded in death by his parents, Olivier and Marie Therese Nitelet.
As a Belgian-Canadian boy, he grew up in Saint-Gilles, Belgium, and subsequently attended the Belgian naval academy at Ostend. Upon graduating as a merchant marine officer, he came to Oakville to retain his Canadian citizenship and further his education and career. For twenty years, Captain Nitelet navigated the world on lakers, tankers, cargo ships, and cruise ships on both salt water and fresh water. A witty storyteller with a keen sense of humor, he could entertain old friends, family members and new acquaintances alike with unending anecdotes of his seafaring days.
He retired from sailing in the early 1990s and created his second career as the originator and owner of Sea and Craft Framing and Art Gallery on Kerr Street. He sold the business in 2015 due to health issues. Before that, with a big personality and strong entrepreneurial skills, Didier expanded his businesses, came to know many people in Oakville, and actively supported many community organizations.
Didier belonged to the Oakville Masonic Lodge, Oakville Shrine Club, and Rameses Shriners. He was a 32nd degree Mason and his Masonic activities included membership in the York Rite, Scottish Rite, director of the Rameses Directors Staff, and president of the Order of the Quetzalcoatl. He was a member of the Rotary Club and Town of Oakville Water and Air Rescue Force. Although his culinary talents were limited, he nevertheless was named to the Toques Blanches, an honorary organization in the culinary field and president/treasurer of the Golden Horseshoe Culinary Team as he handled the organizations’ business affairs. In his daughter’s younger days, he sponsored Oakville Soccer Club teams resulting in a number of little girls throughout the town sporting Sea & Craft jerseys. Due to his naval expertise and experience he achieved the honor of membership in the Company of Master Mariners.
Didier was rarely ever at a loss for words; consequently, he knew many people and likewise many people knew him. He will be missed.
Donations in his honor may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, the Canadian Cancer Society, or the Canadian Kidney Foundation.
Visitation will be held at Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home 64 Lakeshore Rd W., Oakville January 18, 2023 10:00 am - 11:00 am with Funeral service to follow in the Chapel at 11:00 am.
To watch Livestream at time of service click the link: Memorial Service of Didier Nitelet