Shawn Michael Sweeney

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Shawn Michael Sweeney on June 6, 2023. Born in Ottawa, Ontario on January 19, 1952.  Shawn was the son of the late Frances and Lois Sweeney.

Shawn passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer, in the loving arms of his wife Ruth Fournier.   He is survived by his two stepsons, Hasan and Mathieu Monfils (Christine Forget), his grandchildren Gavin and Elora and his boxer, Nellie. He is also survived by his brother, Wayne Sweeney, his nieces Monique and Patricia and the nephews of his predeceased sister Kathy, Patrick and Joey Farrell.

Shawn was an incredibly loving and loyal husband and stepfather to Hasan and Mathieu.  As a young lad, Shawn loved sports and played football, baseball and many others and that love of sports never changed. He was always up to date on the games, the drafts and performances of his favourite teams.  You could always find Shawn laughing with his stepson playing video games, or spoiling his dog with treats from the table. Shawn loved to talk, easily engaging in conversation with friends and strangers alike. People dropped by the video store he owned, to chat and then, as an afterthought, would rent a movie. He had a clever, quick sense of humour and thoroughly loved to make people laugh and tell a good joke.  Nellie, his beautiful white boxer, was his girl, through and through. They walked every day and met his good friend Brian Nichol and his dog, Skye, on those walks. He had coffee, discussed the stock market, the world news and solved all the world’s problems every morning with his good friend Art Warren.  He generously took Art's family dog Charlie (Charlotte) on his walk to earn his coffee and hopefully a sweet baked treat for the many years he was a neighbour, and even after he moved to Barrhaven. As a good friend said, “he is sure to be walking the dogs up there wherever he is.” He also leaves behind his dear friends of 30 years Rosie, Frank, Suzanne, Stacey, Carol, Billie, Lorie Ann and more. Shawn was more than a friend, a neighbour, a stepdad and a husband.  He was one of those people who brought a piece of humanity, humour, human compassion and a curiousity about life, literature, politics, and everything else in between to everyone around him.  He was a loyal and loving conversationalist and companion to his special person, Ruth.  Shawn was a gentle-man.  A special man who will be sorely missed by all those who knew him and loved him.

Enough cannot be said about the compassion Shawn and his family and friends received while at the Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice. Their care was truly beautiful.

A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. For those who wish, donations can be made to the Ruddy-Shenkman Hospice.