Director of Service Canada – Nunavut

Peacefully on Tuesday, May 22nd, 2018 at age 59. Survived by his siblings Garth (Diane) Cuthbertson, Cindy (Paul) Krukowski, Denis (Valerie) Brillon, Suzanne (Dany) Marquis; his nieces Angele Cuthbertson, Samantha (Tyler) Cuthbertson, Danielle Krukowski, Leah (Anthony) Krukowski; his nephews Nick (Sophia) Krukowski, Andrei (Cynthia) Krukowski; his great-nieces Skye Cuthbertson, Taylor Green, Michaela Krukowski; his great-nephews Eric Marquis, Steve Marquis, Wade Calderone, and his godchild Melissa Furlong Hamel. Predeceased by his parents Shirley Walker-Cuthbertson and Ronald Joseph Brillion and by his brother Claude Brillon.
Shaun was born in Rouyn-Noranda on October 29th, 1958. Shortly after high school he moved to Ottawa with his sister Cindy and the two could easily be described as inseparable. Shaun joined the Public Service in 1976 where he made friends easily, especially with his good friend Val Davies, and developed a passion for service to Canadians.
He worked a number of administrative positions before finding his niche as an administrative/executive assistant and quickly moved on to increasing levels of responsibility in Human Resources and Development. In addition to providing expert support to his organization, he excelled at the role by making everyone feel inclusive and ensuring that work could also be fun. Social events organized by Shaun were legendary.
His most recent job was as Director of Service Canada for Nunavut in Iqaluit where he represented many of Canada’s interests and programs in the north for the past decade. He was a dedicated manager who brought out the best in his team by inspiring public service values along with warmth and humour. He was a charter member of the Hy Five Club that started with 5 colleagues giving each other high fives at Hy’s one night and grew to more than 30 members. His handle was Hy Spirits until he moved to the north and then became Hy Arctic. Whenever he came to town the group would convene at Hy’s. He loved his role working with the people of Nunavut so much that he delayed his retirement twice to continue his service. He was scheduled to retire at the end of this year.
Shaun was inspirational and made a lasting impression on anyone who met him. He had an infectious personality and contagious laugh. He was generous beyond belief to everyone who knew him. His favourite place was at “the Camps” at Lac Fortune where his ashes will be scattered. Although he didn’t have any children of his own, to all his nieces and nephews he was “Uncle Shaun” and had a tremendous impact on all their lives. He was a great chef and entertainer par none. He has left a big gap in all our lives and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He will stay in our hearts forever.
Friends are invited to visit at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair & McGarry, 315 McLeod Street (at O’Connor) on Saturday, May 26 from 1 p.m. until the time of the Memorial Service at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Qimaavik Women’s Shelter, Iqaluit are appreciated.