Shawn Dick

Shawn Dick passed away peacefully in the hospital on July 26, 2022 at the age of 58 after his body lost the fight against a rare blood cancer.

Shawn is survived by his parents; his wife of 35 years, Bonnie Hamilton; his daughters, Robyn and Lauren Dick; and his sisters, Leslie Hurry and Lisa Rutherford.

Shawn was born in Ottawa on November 16, 1963 to Heinrich Dick and Mary Lenore Dick. He began his career in the trades, learning everything from carpentry to welding, which was expanded by his short service in the Navy as part of a Youth Employment initiative. He then began his lifelong career in the RCMP, starting in fingerprinting and transitioning to IT Services and Systems Management. On August 1, 1987, he married Bonnie Hamilton, who was in school for Biochemistry and would later dedicate her career to the development, international clinical trials, and FDA approval of a liver cancer drug called Therasphere. On September 23, 1993 and February 27, 1997 respectively, he welcomed his two daughters and was both a devoted father and a constant source of support. 

Shawn enjoyed many hobbies, such as skiing, fishing, and traveling the world by Bonnie’s side. He frequently called Whistler Mountain his ‘happy place’ and would make new friends wherever he went. He was a deeply principled man with a great sense of humor. When his wife, Bonnie, suffered from a severe stroke in 2018, he was in the hospital every day for months. He became her primary caregiver, dedicated to supporting her recovery in any way he could, whether that was building a wheelchair ramp to transition her home faster, or helping her with speech therapy. He will be deeply missed by his friends, family, and all who knew him.

A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held on the afternoon of August 3, 2022 at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa. Visitors are welcome to come anytime between 3-5 p.m. As this is a Celebration of Life, the family has decided to dress Shawn as he would have dressed—in a golf shirt and shorts. Although there won’t be a casket viewing, the dress code will be in the same spirit as Dad’s typical style.