DILLON Jon

DILLON, Jon PATRICK

It is with broken hearts that we announce that Patrick Dillon passed away after a brief and sudden illness on March 22, 2016, at age 49.

Patrick will be loved always and dearly missed by his family – Kelly Buckley, his wife and love of his life; parents Jon and Jan; brother Eric {Candace}; the Dillon and Buckley extended families; and his special pal, Eggbert. Especially dear to his heart were his eight “niblings” – Taryn, Jalen and Kaley Dillon; Shelby and Kennedy Steidl; and Justin, Kendra and Jason Wagman.

Patrick was a graduate of Vancouver Community College and dedicated his whole life to the service of others. He was a volunteer firefighter, which he often referred to as “the best job ever”; the architect of many human service organizations including the Boys and Girls Club of Camrose, and the Today Family Violence Help Centre in Edmonton. For many years, Patrick was a Family Violence and Bullying Prevention Co-ordinator with Central Alberta Child and Family Services (provincial government). In 2011 he assumed the role of Provincial Co-ordinator for the Alberta Father Involvement Initiative. Patrick took it from a fledgling organization to a provincial project that co-ordinated with national and international similar organizations. He coined the phrase “There is a DAD for that” and created resources and delivered seminars across the province to support communities and organizations to promote positive fathering. Patrick was a force of nature and wherever Patrick lived or worked, he changed the world for the better. One of the things that gave Patrick great joy was to be “Santa” at Christmas time. There are countless children into whose lives he brought a bit of magic each year. He also had an incredible network of friends and colleagues who will miss him.

Patrick was born in St. Boniface, Manitoba and grew up across the country including Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta. After he and Kelly were married in 2009, they settled in Edmonton.

Our families would like to extend our deepest appreciation to Drs. Liu, Carney and MacKinnon, the exceptional nursing staff and pastoral services from the Grey Nuns ICU for the care and compassion that Patrick received.

A forever Green Bay Packers fan, Patrick lived life like it was an adventure – he loved volleyball, sailing, photography and last year fulfilled his lifelong dream of owning a motorhome. He was looking forward to camping trips with Kelly and Eggbert this summer and exploring new places together.

“Life takes us to unexpected places. Love brings us home”

A gathering of family and friends to say good-bye to Patrick will be held from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Monday, March 28 at Glenwood Funeral Home, South of Wye Road on range Road 232, Sherwood Park. If you wish to honour Patrick, in lieu of flowers, a donation to the Edmonton Humane Society would be most appreciated. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

GLENWOOD FUNERAL HOME, SHERWOOD PARK (780)467-3337