T. Dean Dawson

The family of Tracy Dean Dawson are saddened to announce that he passed away peacefully on July 8th at Dauphin General Hospital at the age of 63.

Dean faced the devastating diagnosis of Multiple System Atrophy with courage and a positive attitude that amazed everyone around him.  He was not ready to leave this world as there were more places to see and a lot more love to give.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 25 years - Linda (Morin), his sons Dustin (Jodi); Brayden (Jody) and chosen children Colten Scott (Daylyn) and Julie Neault nee Scott (Dylan).  He was proud to be "Pa" to 10 precious grandchildren - Bree, Fletcher, Bodhi, Mia, Sabre, Eden, Rhodes, Halle, Sadie and Ty and several nieces and nephews who loved and admired their Uncle Dean.

He is also survived by his brothers Kirk (Karen) and Darcy (Audrey) and his special Aunt Bunny Cole.

He was predeceased by his parents Merle  in 2019 and Joe in 2013.

Born Tracy Dean, September 29, 1961 in Dauphin, Manitoba; few ever knew his given first name, and if you did address him by Tracy - you only did that once! - he was Dean or Deano.

Dean spent most of his life in Dauphin and was deeply connected to the community.

He served a term as Town Councillor and was the youngest appointed Deputy Mayor of Dauphin in 1986.  In his early years he was involved with the Progressive Conservative Party serving as the Vice-President of the Dauphin Executive.

He was a member of the Dauphin Volunteer Fire Department, a member of the Dauphin Kings Executive, a member of the DMCC Board and coached minor hockey for several years.  Later in life he enjoyed being a part of a noon hour hockey league where his homemade apple pie became the hit of the Friday lunch.

Dean's "get er done" attitude served him well throughout his career in the auto parts industry primarily as Manager of Piston Ring Service for 25 years and at D & A Auto Supply.

Above all Dean was devoted to his family - Dustin and Brayden and raising Colten and Julie as his own, sharing his love of hockey, woodworking and travel while instilling in them the importance of a good work ethic.

Twenty-five plus years of amazing memories were made at the cabin in the old campground at Clear Lake that Dean took so much pride building.  He treasured the times relaxing on the beach, the deck and in cook shack #22 talking with family, friends and neighbors with the fire blazing in the woodstove - cup of tea in hand.

Dean and Linda ensured that they took annual summer vacations with the kids.  Together their "make it happen" philosophy made trips to Thunder Bay and several to Alberta possible - even if it meant squeezing in a car with a six man tent, or Dodge Caravan or a barely mechanically sound motor home - some of the best memories were made on these trips.

Dean loved his many winter getaways with Linda to Mexico, the Dominican Republic and Cuba over the years where great memories were made with friends and family.  His wit, sense of humour and sharp memory for details made every trip or event so memorable and full of laughter.  Dean as always wanting to make it an enjoyable trip for everyone came to be relied upon as the 5:00 am beach chair saver and Senor Tomato.    

Dean was committed to keeping family connected and spearheaded several Dawson family reunions.  Travelling to Ireland in 2016 with Linda was a definite highlight for Dean.  There he reunited with extended family and walked the same stone paths his grandparents walked.

The family would like to thank Dr. Mike Penrose and staff at Dauphin General Hospital for the care provided to Dean.  There are no words to accurately describe the extreme gratitude for the compassionate care Dean received from the Prairie Mountain Health Home Care team.  Thank you for making it possible to keep Dean in the home that he loved right to the end.

Of special note;  Linda  would like to acknowledge the outstanding and continuous love and support that "Bunny" gave to Dean and myself throughout this ordeal - I could not have done it without you - You brought sunshine to our darkest days.

We remember not just that you died, but that you lived, and that your life gave us memories too beautiful to forget.

A Celebration of Life was held for Dean on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 1:00 pm from the Sneath-Strilchuk Family Care Centre in Dauphin with Pastor Scott Allen officiating.  

Should friends so desire, donations in memory of Dean may be made to Dauphin Palliative Care or a Dauphin Minor Sport of Choice.

There is a Part 1 and Part 2 to Dean's service. To watch Part 2 please click on Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium Facebook page.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of T. Dean Dawson, please visit our floral store.