Blayze Grayson Nothof
June 20, 1997 – Oct. 7, 2024

Our hearts are broken beyond measure to have to announce the loss of our son and brother, Blayze Grayson Nothof, in a tragic accident, at the young age of 27.

From the day he was born, Blayze was this amazing combination of fearless adventurer and 80-year-old farmer, which usually had us tearing off after him in his pursuit to find anything having to do with tires or tools, and ending up with a couple band aids and him sitting back with his sippy cup, a contented smile on his face, as his next escapade was already being planned out in his head.

His love and knowledge of tools was legendary around town from the age of about three, where he was affectionately known as “Tool Boy.” Into the Co-op Hardware he would go, grab a toolbox that suited his needs, and down the aisles he went, with his Man on a Mission walk. “Hon,” he would yell out, (the name he called his mom). “Hon, I need a ball peen hammer, a 3/8’s drive ratchet, a hack saw...”. Whatever tools he figured he needed for the job he was preparing for. And, wow, did he get offended if a customer dared to question if he knew what each tool was for. Quickly, and usually with their mouths hanging open, they received a carpentry lesson from a toddler who knew his business.

Blayze loved being outside, and had many interests for each season — but guaranteed, throughout the years, 99 per cent of them involved his best friend, George. From quadding to cutting wood, exposing Geo to new music, to loving nothing more than sitting around a “Nothof” fire, they had these beautiful “Life is Good” laughs and this deep, total accepting bond that few will ever have the privilege of knowing.

His love of anything related to tires, tools or getting his hands dirty led Blayze to the perfect job for him at Skocdopole Construction. He was a very hard worker with a good work ethic, and very quickly became a well-liked employee. Here he found his purpose, his focus and had him thinking about becoming a mechanic. He also found a great group of guys, a few of whom were lucky enough to see the fierce loyalty Blayze held for anyone he deemed a friend.

Blayze always had been his dad’s right-hand man, hanging out, doing all things “boy.” Whether it was building to working in the yard, biking, having fires or singing in the shop, they shared so many interests. The biggest may have been their obsessive need to go and cut more wood.

With a knack for making her crack up at every meal, Blayze was his little sister’s self-appointed protector — a job he took extremely seriously, and together he and Boo (Briley) were an inseparable (and most times, ridiculous) team, a bond that was still unbreakable into adulthood.

And, to his mom ... he was also her protector, from a little boy, always feeling that was his responsibility. He was her light, her test in patience and, without a doubt, with his feisty spirit, he was meant to be her son.

His heart melted for our dog, Mia. He had been so proud and devoted to his puppy Maddie who had unfortunately passed, and our lifelong dog, Belle. His love was always deep, always pure, always giving. And his absence in our life is felt so crushingly by us all.

Blayze had waiting for him with huge hugs, his beloved Grandma Bus (Edna Meronowich), Grandpa Don (Don Meronowich), and his best friend who he missed so much, his Great Uncle George.

His strong, funny, and caring soul will be heartbreakingly missed every day by his Mom and Dad, Taralee and Ron Nothof, and his sister Briley (Boo) Nothof.

We miss you. We love you. And we feel so lucky that we were chosen to have been your parents and sister, getting to share all the beautiful moments of this life that we made together, the memories we hold so close, and all the love that was between us.

Also feeling great loss are grandparents, Carol and Tom Nothof; Blayze’s uncles: Randy (Barb) Nothof, Blayne (Crystal) Meronowich and Wayne (Raylene) Nothof; along with his cousins: Ryan, Brendan, Dyson, Dalen, Cadie and Gracie; all his Skocdopole buddies; and everyone else who knew and loved his amazing soul.

In memory of Blayze, we ask you to please just be kind to one another. Do something nice for someone. Show appreciation. Say how you feel. Hug — Blayze loved a long, heartfelt hug. Laugh. Take pictures of your babies — no matter how old they are. And love, love, love your people deeply... If you are doing these things, your life, and those lives around you are going to be truly magical, and beautifully blessed.

We would like to invite you to share in our celebration of Blayze’s life on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, at the Evergreen Community Centre at 1 p.m. Blayze loved any reason to dress up in nice jeans, a dress shirt and his favourite size 13 cowboy boots — so please, feel free to wear whatever it is that makes you feel good inside.

Condolences may be forwarded to www.rockyfuneralhome.ca.

Rocky and Sylvan Lake Funeral Homes and Crematorium, your Golden Rule Funeral Homes, entrusted with the arrangements.