Dickson, A. Thomas 'Tom'

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Thomas Arthur “Tom” Dickson on January 13th, 2019, after a difficult yet courageous 3-year battle with cancer. Tom was brave, never complaining, always positive and hopeful and showed appreciation for everything anyone did to assist him. He treated each day as a gift and lived to enjoy it. Tom leaves behind his loving and devoted wife Leslie Dickson (nee Clements), cherished sons Sean and Kent and beloved granddaughters, Kylie and Mylah. He was the son of Clyde and Phyllis Dickson (nee Rushton) (both predeceased). He is survived by two sisters, Valerie Currier (Jim Dorrington) and Judy McLaren (Murray) and their children and grandchildren. Also survived by his brother-in-laws, Jim Clements (Lynn) and David Clements (Leigh, predeceased), sister-in-law Kim Clements and their children and grandchildren. Also left to grieve are his only remaining aunt, Jean Dickson, several cousins and numerous friends. Tom was proud to be a mining engineer. In pursuit of his career, Tom and Leslie lived in Africa, Northern Saskatchewan, Yukon as well as Northwestern Ontario and Sudbury. They developed true, life-long friendships in each port of call. In the early 90s, while living on Lake Superior, Tom and Leslie developed a passion for sailing. They and friends chartered sail boats several times in various idyllic locations in the Caribbean and Belize. Since retirement, they spent much of the past 10 years, travelling to explore new parts of the world, visit old friends and develop new ones. Tom particularly loved their annual drive to San Jose del Cabo at the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula where Tom studied Spanish and enjoyed swimming and snorkeling, away from the cold northern Ontario winters. Tom was loving, generous, and had a great sense of humour. He loved spending time at the camp with his sons and his granddaughters. He loved entertaining friends at camp and at home where they frequently had guests. Tom was proud to be a member of Lions International. He became a Lion in Elsa Yukon, a mining town of 500 people where the Lions raised thousands of dollars for CNIB through an annual marathon. To raise funds for the Lions local charitable activities, Tom studied auctioneering in London ON and began running annual auctions in Yukon and later in Terrace Bay ON. More recently he has been an active member of Garson Lions. The family are most grateful to the medical staff that helped Tom with his battle against cancer, particularly, Dr. Adegbite, Dr. Noble, Dr. Pun and nurse Janice, Bayshore nurse Jennifer, Dr Walton and the professional and compassionate staff at Maison McCulloch Hospice. To celebrate the life of Tom Dickson, family and friends are asked to gather at the Skead Community Centre, at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 19th, 2019. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Tom’s memory to the Northern Cancer Foundation, Maison McCulloch Hospice or the Skead Funeral Fund. Arrangements entrusted to the Jackson & Barnard Funeral Home.