Thomas Dale Sharkey

Thomas Dale Sharkey

Long Island

The family of Thomas Dale Sharkey are saddened to announce his sudden and unexpected passing at home on Thursday, December 28, 2022, at the age of 73. Dale used to laugh when folks introduced him as being from ‘away’. He was born in Ottawa, on September 13, 1949, to the late Herbert John and Marion Grace (Rodney) Sharkey of Westboro. A beloved husband, well-respected colleague, and valued friend, who enjoyed working as much as family life became a dearly loved Cape Bretoner.

 Dale grew up in a family of 7 (4 boys/3 girls) along the Ottawa River, with his parents. He is survived by his brothers Brian/Dency McCalla; Jim/ Shirley Potter; and his sisters Arlene/Douglas Ross; Jill/Jean Guy Nault.

 Dale is survived by his wife, Irene, daughter of Melvin and Stella (Burchell) McKinnon of Sydney Mines, NS.

 He was predeceased by his older brother, Wayne/Eva Vachon in 2003, and his younger sister, Leslie in 2013.

 For the past 23 years, he lived quietly beside the Bras d’Or Lakes, amid the natural beauty of tall slender birch, and usually had at least one of his four-legged friends by his side: Sam, Lady, Boswell, Sandy, Teagan, and recently his Australian Labra-doodle ‘Fynn’. He enjoyed caring for his many feathered friends and eagerly awaited the arrival of the hummingbirds who frequented the feeders. Dale loved gardening and worked hard to develop a beautiful yard for all to enjoy.

He was the much-loved and admired ‘Uncle Dale’ to all his nieces and nephews, grand nephews and grand nieces; ´Dale’ to his cousins, aunts, uncles, and all the in-laws, and simply ‘Sharkey’ to his close friends and acquaintances.

Dale was happy to have lived his life in Canada, dipped his toes in the three oceans, worked in expansive Northern Ontario, the magnificent Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and beautiful Unamaki, Eastern Nova Scotia. He loved American football, and Chinese food; large print crosswords and cartoons that make you laugh out loud; peanut butter on toast, sweet raisin tarts, and homemade apple pie. He also enjoyed different genres of music, but had a passion for blues; his favourite artists were Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Pink Floyd, Pavarotti, Mahalia Jackson, and Rita MacNeil.

An outdoor enthusiast and photographer he revered swimming, canoeing, kayaking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and skating on the Rideau Canal. Dale was a lifelong runner, and enjoyed numerous daily walks with his best bud Fynn up until his passing.

He graduated from Algonquin College with a Computer Technology and Programming Certificate; received the Governor General’s Medal for his undergraduate degree in Community Studies at Cape Breton University, and a full scholarship to complete his post-graduate Master’s of Social Work at Carleton University, Ottawa.

His professional career transitioned from working as Computer/Data Analyst for the federal government in Ottawa, to being a Mental Health and Addictions Counsellor/Therapist in Ontario, the Northwest Territories, (NWT & Nunavut), and Nova Scotia. He loved the challenge and satisfaction of working for non-government/non-profit agencies such as Eskasoni Mental Health and Social Work Services, Inuvik Family Counseling, and most recently Talbot House in Cape Breton, NS.

His life roles expanded from that of loving son and brother, to loving husband, super good friend, loving Uncle, engaged College Instructor, Workshop Facilitator, Family Counsellor, Addictions and Mental Health Therapist. Dale’s essence never varied. His heartfelt passion concentrated on justice and healing for those in need. Dale was a person of the people, a listener, helper, friend, and trusted confident. He was a constant, caring advocate and intelligent justice-seeker for victims of childhood trauma and abuse. He will be sorrowfully missed by many, and lovingly remembered by many more. On behalf of the many hearts and souls you nurtured with love, rest in peace and love for all eternity - Thank you, Miigwetch, Máhsi, Quyanainni, Mársı, Kinanāskomitin, Hąį, Wela'lin. Merci.

 His family will receive visitors on Thursday, January 5, 2023, at 1 pm in J. M. Jobes Funeral Home, Sydney Mines. A memorial service will be held at 2 pm in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, those who are able are asked to make a donation to Talbot House, CMHA, or The Aboriginal Healing Foundation. Words of comfort may be forwarded to his family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com