April 23, 1934 - March 3, 2024
In Loving Memory ~
We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved husband, wonderful Dad and cherished Papa at the age of 89 on March 3, 2024.
Sidney was predeceased by his parents Agnes and Charlie Dixon, his siblings John, Fay, and Doreen.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years Susan and their loving daughters Sheryl (David), Sandie (Bill), and Shawna (Gerald), his younger sister Joy (Jim). He is also deeply mourned by his grand children Lynae (Benn), Sean, Hector, Sidney, and Noodle, his great grandchildren Hudson and Kensie as well as his step grandchildren Adam, Andrea (Hugo), Helena (Steve), and Nickolas, and his step great grandchildren Marcos, Ramona, Che, and Sage.
Sidney was born in rural Ontario, in the small town of Hespeler, in a log cabin built by his father on the banks of Speed River. He grew up catching turtles, playing hockey on frozen ponds, and bringing home small fish for his beloved Mother to fry up for dinner.
When he was in trouble he would often say to his dog, "Let's go in the garden and eat worms Tootsie''. Sidney would then go into the garden with his best friend and dig up worms to feed her.
He was full of mischief as a young man. He spent a few days in the local jail for doing doughnuts on his motorcycle in the Police Chiefs front lawn.
He joined the army at 17 twice. After he enlisted he found out another division would be going overseas, so whilst on weekend leave he enlisted into that company in order to see the world.
It worked out beautifully until his original CO ran into him in Germany. The parade ground was never cleaner. But other than that there was nothing to be done, as he was not AWOL just doubly enlisted. These types of shenanigans were of course revealed to his wife after the wedding and Sue did wonder what she had gotten herself into. But 63 years later, with three beautiful grown daughters and very precious grandchildren, any number of cats, dogs and great adventures it was more than worth it.
When Sidney returned to Canada he worked in various jobs in and around Hespeler, including at the Hespeler Hockey Stick Company. He spent some time travelling around Canada and eventually became a linesman at CPRail. It was while working for CPR that Sidney met and fell in love with a girl from Burnaby. Susan, working at the Banff Springs Hotel, was hitchhiking with friends to Lake Louise, Sidney was driving to Lake Louise with his friends, and the rest is a 63 year long history.
Sidney and Susan married in North Burnaby in Ellesmere United Church on March 30th 1961. They had their first two children, Sheryl and Sandie, in Burnaby. They moved to Calgary in 1968, then spent three years in Prince George where Shawna was born and Sidney became a linesman with BCTel. In 1972 Sidney's work moved them to Nanaimo where they remained and raised their children and saw their grandchildren born.
Sidney was always up for a self set challenge. He learned to ski for his 50th birthday and brought us all along on the adventure. Many great vacations were had up the mountain with the whole family in a ski chalet.
When he turned 65 he did the Great Walk from Gold River to Tasis with Sue, Shawna and Jenny (his latest in a succession of blond Cocker Spaniels, which started with Tootsie) as his road crew. His toenail was never the same!
At 70 he started Dragon Boat racing with his eldest daughter Sheryl and son-in-law Dave. He paddled on the Dragon Slayer team for five years. They won many medals together and he was a much loved member of the team.
Sidney retired from BCTel in 1997 and he and Sue spent many wonderful years travelling in their fifth wheel to the US and Mexico, faithful dogs Jenny and then Buffy in tow. Even after their traveling days were over Sidney was very active golfing, taking long daily walks, playing with his young grandchildren, and maintaining his yard in such a way that any retiree would be proud.
He loved to read and passed that love onto his children. He also enjoyed doing puzzles with Sue and his grandkids. He had an annual tradition with his youngest grandchildren of Picking Pears with Papa. It will be a day greatly missed this year.
We lost our Sidney after a relatively short bout of multiple illnesses. He passed in NRGH surrounded by Sue and their daughters and plenty of love.
We, as his family, are extremely grateful for the years we shared with him and are so glad he enjoyed a long, happy and healthy retirement. He will be missed beyond measure and his passing leaves a piece missing from our family. He is loved and loved us so much.
There will be no service at this time but there will be a small gathering of family and friends planned for this summer.
Please rest in peace, Honey, until we meet again, Sue
Please visit https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/nanaimo-bc/sidney-dixon-11697567