Dean Dickson Shavalier
Died: December 20, 2009 | Place: London Health Sciences Centre - University Hospital
Obituary
Shavalier, Dean
After a brief and courageous battle with cancer at University Hospital, London on Sunday, December 20, 2009 Dean Dickson Shavalier in his 70th year. Beloved husband of Cheryl Shavalier for 30 years. Loving father of Keri Manningham and her husband Joe of Hamilton, Drew Shavalier and his wife Linda of Hamilton and Dean Shavalier and his wife Sarah of Petawawa. Sadly missed by his grandchildren Kayln, Kyle, Kaleb, Dean, Devin, Ryan, Paige and Hayley. Also missed by his sister-in-law Karen Leeder and several extended family members. A native Londoner, Dean was active in broadcast journalism for many years in London and Southwestern Ontario. Friends will be received by the family on Wednesday, December 23, 2009 from 1:00 – 3:00pm at Wesley-Knox United Church, 91 Askin Street, London where the memorial service will be held at 3:00pm with Reverend Graham Bland officiating. Cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Jesse’s Journey, P.O. Box 5099, London, ON N6A 4M8 or charity of choice. Online condolences accepted at www.amgfh.com
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Cheryl & family…..
Please accept sincere condolences, from my wife, Linda and myself. I have many fond memories of Dean, having been peripherally involved in the broadcast industry, in the late 1960s.
Dean had a wonderful sense of humour and I always found the story of the spelling of “Shavalier” as opposed to “Chevalier”, to be a fascinating anecdote.
He will be missed.
Cheryl
So sorry to hear of Dean’s death…..you are in my thoughts and prayers at this sad time for you and your family. Cherish your memories.
Cheryl and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families at this difficult time.
To Dean’s family,
We, here at the London Courthouse, remember Dean and the time that he spent working here. His sense of humour and smile will always be remembered.
Our condolences to you all.
Cheryl
I was so sorry to hear of Dean’s passing. Please accept my condolences, you and your family are in my thoughts at this difficult time.
Cheryl,
I am so very, very sorry to hear about Dean. Love and prayers to you and your family at this difficult time. Warmest Regards,
Mary-Anne
It is impossible for me to think of Dean and not smile and give thanks that my family was blessed to have known him. Dean was a true friend and gentleman that supported and stood by my Dad (Jerry Daniel) and our whole family during many of life’s celebrations and challenges. With a heart bigger than him he never failed to make you laugh and feel special. We have lost a wonderful friend. Our sincere condolences to Cheryl, Keri, Drew, Dean and families.
Dear Cheryl and Family, please know that I am thinking of you at this time.
With love,
Kathleen
Cheryl & Family:
We we so terribly distressed to hear of Dean’s passing. I’ve known Dean since we were both young and foolish broadcasters. I’ll miss his droll comments and hearty laugh. We wish you strength during this trying time. Dean was truly a big man in many ways, and thought of others much more than himself.
Dean was one of those old friends you didn’t see often enough but, when you did, you instantly reconnected with reminiscences that reflected a shared past. His was a keen mind. From our first meeting so many years ago, he quickly erased the ill-founded condescension many print journalists held toward their radio rivals. We marveled at his ability to capture in 30 seconds – in sonorous tones – a tale that took us many takes to tell. A fond memory is of our flight to Moosonee to cover a forest fire that threatened the town. Dean trudged the bush, recording the sounds of flaming fury and the tired firefighters. We chomped on steaks at the smokey front line camp and, on the flight home, embellished stories of our experience. It was about then that a fly flew over our shoulders and landed on the windshield of the plane. “How fast does a fly fly?” I asked rhetorically, and Dean or someone said “maybe five miles an hour.” Looking at the plane’s speed gage, I asked: “Does that mean that fly just flew 255 miles an hour?” We all had a hardy laugh, one of countless many shared with our old friend, Dean.
My sincere condolences on the loss of Dean.I always enjoyed speaking with him at ETS functions.My thoughts are with you!
Margaret
Cheryl – Very sad to hear the news about Dean. We covered a lot of news together and had lots of laughs too. When Joe and I were young and broke and trying to rent a house apartment, Dean is the person who vouched for me. The landlord said “if Dean says you’re okay, then you must be okay.” We also had lots of conversations about St. Thomas!!
Dear Cheryl and family:
My sincere sympathies in the loss of a wonderful husband,father and grandfather. My late husband and I met Dean over 30 years ago and he left an impression on our lives that we carried with us as we journeyed forward. May you find peace and comfort in your faith and friends.
A giant of a man that used to babysit our newborn son. Lost in the space of this mans lap, we knew that our Jamie was protected and cared for. As for my old neighbor, I miss you and your wisdom and insight to a young father and will always treasure our talks. I have always loved you and am feeling such a great loss at this time knowing that you will not be around for direction. This is a sad Christmas for our family.
Cheryl and family,
So sorry to learn of your loss Dean was always a friendly face and helpful to those who needed it.
Our thoughts are with you.
I would like to express my sadness and condonlences to the Shavalier family. Though it has been a long time since I have spoke with you, Dean is someone that has touched my life, he isn’t someone that you can forget. I am thankful for having known him.I hope he and my dad are enjoying themselves now that they are together again.
Dear Cheryl
I was so sorry to hear of Dean’s passing. The stories you would share at our team lunches is a testament to the love you shared and your 30 years of marriage. Take comfort in those amazing memories to help you through this very difficult time. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
love
Heather Tales
My deepest condolences to Dean’s family.
Dean was a friend and also to me, a teacher. He is one of the finest Broadcasters London has ever had.
I was always amazed at how just knowing Dean made you a better person.
Sincerely,
Randy Buck
Toronto
Cheryl I’m at a loss to find the words to comfort you. Although nothing will at this time. But please cherish this, the respect and admiration that both of you have brought to Jalna Blvd. is indescribable. Warren,Christine and I will miss him so much.I thank Dean and you for helping me I hope that you will allow me to console you any way that I can.I will pray that God will give you the strength and courage that you will need. You made a great team. We will miss him terribly.My Mother and Father send their condolences as well as do Mr. & Mrs. Steele. God Bless You Jeanne & Warren & Christine
It was an honour to work with the Big Man at CFPL radio. He taught a lot of us up and comers many things that aren’t in the text books. RIP Dean. I will never forget the humanity you brought to your work and your peers.
Cheryl,
I’m so sorry to hear about Dean’s death. Please know that my thoughts are with you and your family at this time.
Take care!
Amy
Along with many others. I had the opportunity and privilege to know Dean through the news business. He always had a smile, a pleasant and encouraging word and often a question or observation. He was a gentle man in all of our dealings and a true gentleman.
Cheryl and Family,
My family and I were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of (Great)Uncle Dean. I remember as a young girl looking up at him and thinking, ‘I wonder what a man that big eats for breakfast?’ He was a man whose heart was as big as he was; he will be missed.
Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
With deepest sympathy,
Scott,Niki Saunders (Phillips) and Family
My first announcing job was at CKBB in Barrie in 1965. Dean was my first program director and he told me: “When you’re on the air, always be yourself; just make sure it’s yourself at your very best.” For almost 45 years, I’ve never forgotten that wonderful advice.
Sincere condolences.
Bill Anderson
Classical 96.3 FM, Toronto
Dear Cheryl and family,
Please know that many share your loss.
Dean was always a formidable competitor during our London radio days and a larger than life figure away from the microphone. His wit and humanity will be sorely missed.
Sincerely,
Terry Scott
My younger brother Gord Phillips called Monday with the news of the passing of my late mom’s only sibling, my Uncle Dean, in London. I moved to the north in the 70’s, so never got to see Uncle Dean often, but he will be missed by me. My earliest memories are of him in “the Port” (Stanley) where he was raised. I remember a time Gord & I went to visit him in Hamilton back in the day. Uncle Dean still had his rag-top convertible, and we got to ride in it with the top down. It was great! At least until one of us “christained” the back seat being car sick. I remember when I lived in London as a young lad I used to brag to people that my uncle Dean was on TV. The best ride I think I ever had though was in his Vet, when he let me drive it when I was 18. He was a big man, like my grandfather, his dad. Big in stature, and big in heart, he will be missed. My condolences to all his immeditate family in your hour of sorrow.
Neil & Victoria Phillips, Inuvik, NT
A big man in so many ways. I knew him as the big anchor across the street back in the 80’s. Whether it was harassing a story out of reluctant police or being on the front line to help a fledgling cause, Dean always got the job done. To his family, my condolences.
Dear Cheryl:
I was so shocked and saddened to learn of Dean’s passing. I have so many fond high school memories of Dean, in particular his wonderful sense of humour. Cheryl, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Do treasure all that you and Dean shared – it will help to comfort you.
Reenie
So sorry to hear about Dean. I have the best memories of Dean. Our meeting goes back 49 years ago. He was my deceased husbands best friend and co-worker. We had some wonderful memories together. Our thoughts are with Deans family. love Judy, Gary and family
Cheryl;
Dean is one of those rare personalities who entered our lives just as we needed him there. As we strove to bring the new business to a highly professional operation, we didn’t have enough experience to deal with the most difficult clients and situations. Dean came to us like a sheriff who rode into a lawless town and saved the good townspeople. Dean’s commanding stature and voice, courage, and verbal virtuosity provided the needed gunslinger! As we together transformed the operations, Dean gave us many, many laughs and taught us much from his experiences. I still am amazed at his instincts on people—he described outcomes long before they played out. Throughout our entire friendship, Dean’s favorite subject was his pride of you, Cheryl. Now Dean has ridden into the sunset; his razor sharp mind and wit, and his giant heart are missed.
John, Joey, & Cole Gabaldon
Cheryl,
I’m so sorry to hear about your husband. I’m sure you have many wonderful memories to comfort you during this time. My thoughts are with you.
Dianne
The first time I remember meeting Dean was when I use to go down to Port Stanley, for a time in the summer, to stay with his parents and him for short holidays. I am not sure how much he appreciated my company, because I was a little kid, and worse, I had to sleep with him. He never said anything, but I am sure this must have rubbed him the wrong way, being a young teenage boy at the time. I saw him as an uncle over the years, but since he was not really that much older than me, he seemed more like an older brother. He was a great media personality, and told me many stories about the behind the scenes events. Living so far away from him, I rarely got to see him since I left London, but did get to visit the odd time over the years. I was shocked when Gord phoned to say he had died. Cheryl, if you wish, please contact us (our email address is included). I hope you are in fine health yourself, and can continue enjoying life.
We were very sorry to hear of Dean’s death.
While I never had the opportunity to work with Dean I always appreciated his skills as a broadcaster.And when our paths crossed he was always full of, well, what we called wit and wisdom.
We needed more of that.
Al and Suzanne McGregor
Aunt Cheryl;
Our thoughts and prayers are with you , and the three strong children you have at your side.
Love Deb & Gord Phillips
I first met Dean when he began hanging around CHLO in the early 1960’s. Over the years our paths crossed many times.Grieved to hear of his passing, but trust God is holding him close. As a pastor today, (Whitestone Community Church) in Northern Ontario I can assure you our congregation will remember the family in Prayer on Sunday
Barry Kentner
I wish to pass on my condolances to Dean’s family and friends. His size was surpassed by the size of his gentle heart and he had a place in it for everyone. Dean was a insperation to alot of us and he will be missed.
To Dean’s Familiy. We were saddened to hear that Dean had passed away. We have talked about him often since we saw him and Cheryl in Port Huron about 4 years ago. He was just the same as he was many years ago when we all shared so many laughs with him at STCI. What a great guy he was. Our sincerest sympathy to everyone.
We can see from the condolence messages to Dean’s family that the Great Shavalier has, over the years, loomed large in life for his many friends. For me that looming has covered almost fifty-five years (STCI – Grade 9). On the infrequent occasions that our later lives crossed, those fifty-five years evaporated. No matter whether you had just talked with Dean, talked about him or had him pass through your thoughts, he left a smile and a positive view that maybe the world was alright after all. There can be no greater success for a man than that and the Grand Administrator of All Things will surely give warm sanctuary to Dean Shavalier.