Wayne Bradford Ellis Dickson, 73, of Gold River, formerly from Pictou County, passed away at South Shore Regional Hospital, Bridgewater, NS on September 19, 2012 after a lengthy illness with Parkinson's disease. He is survived by his spousal partner, Barbara Martin; his sons, Mark (Donna Martin), Springhill; Dean (Paula Beauchamp) Oakville, Ontario; and Christopher (Susan), New Glasgow; his brothers, Clint (Charlotte), New Glasgow; and Vance (Helen), Chance Harbour; his sister, Kim Dickson (Barry Campbell), New Glasgow; and his grandchildren, Emily and Caden. He was predeceased by his parents Foster and Kristine Dickson as well as his first wife, Kathleen "Kay" Dickson. Wayne was a proud graduate of Acadia University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts, Major in Economics, in 1961 and a Bachelor of Education in 1962. He also received a Bachelor of Physical Education Degree from the University of Waterloo from the Faculty of Health Sciences, one of the first of its kind in 1966. He was a life-long learner and went on to receive his Master in Education from Acadia in 1985 and also attained his certification as a hardwood inspector from the United States National Hardwood Lumber Association in Memphis, Tennessee in 1996.
Wayne was known as a star athlete at New Glasgow High school in track and field, hockey and rugby and was also a formidable baseball player. He was a member of several Nova Scotia championship high school sports teams, heavily recruited by Acadia University and excelled in both hockey and track and field university leagues. Wayne was Captain of the Acadia University Hockey team; specialized in 100 and 220 yard events and at one meet was clocked in at 22.8 in the 220 believed to have equalled the Canadian juvenile record of the day. He was a Member of the Olympic Training Plan and as a sprinter competed against the Canadian Olympic Team during the Olympic trials in Hamilton, Ontario. A highlight of Wayne’s athletic career was his experience and achievement as a member of the 4 x 100 Relay Team which competed against and defeated that year’s Canadian Olympics Relay Squad. He played a key role in the Acadia Axemen receiving a Maritime Intercollegiate Track Championship and was the recipient of the T. Eaton Trophy, which was awarded annually to Nova Scotia's Most Promising Athlete. During course of his career, he was a member of the Army Cadets of Canada and a Lieutenant in the Canadian Army Reserves, stationed in Camp Borden, ON; Camp Aldershot, NS and C.F.B. Gagetown, NB.
Wayne began his teaching career at Cornwallis District High School and East Pictou Rural High School and was a long time teacher at Stellarton High School for 28 years, teaching Physical Education, Economics. He retired from teaching in 1994 but continued his friendships with his colleagues. During his teaching career, he was a builder of high school sports, coaching many teams in hockey, soccer, volleyball, basketball and more. Mr. D as he was affectionately nick named by his students was known for his innovative and progressive coaching strategies that he learned from his education at the University of Waterloo.
Wayne was also a coach and builder of the Stellarton Spitfires of the Maritime Junior A Hockey League. He was inducted into the Pictou County Sports Hall of Fame as an athlete but also cited for his many coaching contributions to the youth of Pictou County. Wayne’s passions in life were his family, students, teaching, athletics, coaching, cars, travel, music and his beloved little black dog Poodie. He will be remembered with love, fondness and affection as a father, grandfather, partner, big brother, uncle, friend, teacher and coach with a sharp wit, diverse interests, a special charm, great tenacity and a zest for life.
A service for family will take place at the Seaview Cemetery, near Pictou with Rev. Bill White officiating on Saturday, September 29 at 11:00 am. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Wayne's life will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion in Stellarton on Saturday, September 29th from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and his family invites friends to gather to remember and reflect and celebrate a life lived to the fullest. Any memorial donations may be made in Wayne's memory to the local SPCA.