Obituary of Neil Graham Winston Dickson

With heavy hearts, we are announcing the death of our father, Neil Graham Winston Dickson. Neil acquired COVID a few weeks ago for the third time and died during the early morning hours on October 15, 2023, at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital in Cranbrook BC at the age of 81. 

 

Neil was born on January 8, 1942, in Neepawa, Manitoba, and spent his youth living in the small farming community of Brookdale MB. Eager for adventure, he left for Regina in 1961 to join the RCMP at the age of nineteen. After leaving training in 1962, he was posted to Kamloops BC where he met and became engaged to Mary Gritchin from Grand Forks BC. They were married in 1963 in Kamloops. Neil was subsequently transferred to Nanaimo in 1964, Victoria in 1965, and Winnipeg in 1975. After four years in Manitoba, he transferred to Yellowknife and then to Whitehorse in 1981 where he re-married to Lynda Hunnisett. Neil enjoyed the lifestyle of the north but moved back to Winnipeg in 1987 for his final transfer. After 30 years with the RCMP, he retired in 1991 at age 49 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was well respected by his superiors and colleagues who reported to him.

 

After leaving the RCMP, Neil and Lynda settled in Cranbrook BC, and Neil took a job with the City of Cranbrook as the “Meter Man." For the next six years, Neil enjoyed walking around town interacting with locals and tourists until he retired permanently in 1997 at the age of 55. 

 

Neil loved sports. He was a devoted fan of the Boston Bruins and Minnesota Vikings. He played fastball for the RCMP team, coached his sons at Layritz Little League in Victoria, and volunteered as a Little League umpire. He loved to golf and was a long- time member at the Cranbrook Golf Club, but his true passion was curling. Neil was a three-time Canadian Police Curling Champion, twice representing BC and once representing Manitoba. He was also a BC Seniors Curling Champion and came within one win from qualifying for The Brier, which was his lifelong dream. Neil was also a past President of the Canadian Police Curling Association, and he was also an accomplished crib player and a BC Seniors Crib Champion. Neil treasured his lifelong friends from the RCMP, the many curlers he played with and competed against, and his buddies from the Cranbrook Golf Club and Cranbrook Curling Club where he enjoyed spending most of his time during his retirement years. 

 

Neil was pre-deceased by his father, William Dickson, mother, Florence Dickson (Graham), wife Lynda, and sister-in-law, Donna Dickson. He is survived by his daughter Holly Dickson (Andrew) of Kemptville ON, sons Blaine Dickson (Sue) of Kelowna BC, Shawn Dickson (AnnMarie) of Calgary AB, Neil Dickson Jr. of Victoria BC, brother Ian Dickson of Brandon MB, nephews Scott Dickson of Red Deer AB, Eric Dickson (Kelly) of Brandon MB, and Tim Dickson (Amanda) of Montreal QC, grandsons Alton, Sean, Keaton, Emerson and granddaughters Ella and Josie.

 

Our family would like to express our sincere love and thanks to Debbie Graham who gave Dad her friendship and companionship over the past number of years over glasses of wine at her apartment and quiet times at her cabin on Moyie Lake. We would also like to offer our genuine heartfelt thanks and appreciation to Dr. Kevin McIver who cared for Dad for many years, and our thanks to Danae in the East Kootenay Regional Hospital Palliative Care Unit who offered Dad empathy and compassion in his final few days and hours. We would also like to extend our appreciation to Ron and Audrey Tarr for their love, caring and help to the family after Neil’s death, and our sincere thanks to the East Kootenay Regional Hospital Dialysis Clinic for their care and professionalism during Neil’s last four years.

 

In accordance with Neil’s wishes, there was no funeral, but a celebration of life will take place in Cranbrook BC in June 2024.