Dawson Hamilton Laid to Rest

Dawson Hamilton’s last journey was dignified, peaceful, funny and deeply moving. Over 600 family, friends and admirers gathered at the Minden Community Centre last Thursday to “Celebrate Dawson’s Life”. Dawson died Sunday, January 10th at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto after a five year battle with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: he was just nine years old.
Dawson’s great uncle Karl Upton officiated at the hour-long service. A recurrent theme throughout the tributes was the almost magical way that Dawson had affected the lives of so many: his teachers, the nurses at Sick Kids who looked after him so often over the years, his older brother Tanner’s Bantam hockey team, and the group of OPP “Pedal for Hope” cycling team officers who included Dawson in so many of their Cops for Cancer events. Constable John Townsend gave a particularly moving eulogy to their “special friend”, who had lightened their lives so much with his irrepressible sense of humour, mischief, and “courageous outlook” on life. He recalled how Dawson would tease the officers, from the comfort of a squad car, when they appeared to be a little slow in their bike ride through the Essonville Line, and Vinegar Hill. And of how when allowed, “he loved to work those lights and sirens in the squad car.” Dawson’s necklace of bravery beads contained almost 500 beads: “he is our hero,” said Townsend. Through barely concealed tears the constable also announced that the OPP will dedicate their 2010 Tour to Dawson’s memory.
In other tributes retired Archie Stouffer teacher Toos Reid spoke of how each child is precious, and different, and of how much Dawson had touched their lives and the lives of all his teachers: she then sang the sad and inspiring Marian song with the lyrics “The ones I love are many coloured, the ones I love are flowers bright, the ones I love are gifts eternal, the ones I love have shared their light.”
The Hamilton family was also very grateful that Dawson’s long-time buddy and supporter, Colorado Avalanche rookie star and Haliburton native Matt Duchene left his team mid-road trip in order to attend the ceremony. Finally, after many more family and friend’s eulogies, Funeral Director Kirsten Monk read a touching tribute from Dawson’s nine-year-old cousin Owen Smith, and then, with dignity, read the service of committal. There will be a spring interment at the Minden Cemetery.