Sheldon "Dean" Alexander Stinson

It is with great sorrow that we must announce the death of Sheldon Dean Alexander Stinson, who passed away at Kelowna General Hospital on November 17 at the age of 75 from complications due to heart trauma. He fought long and hard and was working to help his family and his clients right up to the very end.

Always one to do things his own way, he very early on chose to go by his middle name - “Dean” - but he also had many other aliases far and wide: AKA “The Dean,” AKA “The Dean of Real Estate,” AKA “Deaner,” AKA “DeanDawg,” AKA “The Biggest Kid on the Block,” AKA “Gizmo Man.” AKA “Dad.” AKA “Poppa.”

For people like Dean, one name was just never enough. But whether bestowed upon him by his family, friends, neighbourhood kids or himself, all of these names embodied his broad love of life and community.

Born on July 8th, 1946 in Vancouver, Dean was raised on a ranch in the Nicola-Similkameen valley. After a three-year stint in the Navy, Dean moved to Princeton where he lived and worked for the rest of his life. He was a successful businessman and logging contractor for many years before switching to real estate, where he employed his great love of people, conversation and his hugely magnanimous nature to great effect.

A big part of Princeton for over 50 years, Dean’s commitment to community and his unrelenting positive energy always made a huge impact - be it helping to paint the local baseball stadium, serving as a town councilman, announcing local sports, coaching minor league, serving on the hospital board, dressing as Santa or auctioneering for charity.

Always on the move and an amazing inspiration for his family, you just couldn’t contain his zest for life or his genuine love of people. He always met his friends and clients with a smile and was happiest bombing around in his truck going from meeting to meeting.

A true cowboy to the end, Dean was bigger than life and never once backed away from doing what he felt was right. His moral compass was ever unfailing and his big heart legendary. Those who met him rarely forgot him. “Always make a big ripple as you go through life,” he would often say. The example he set for his family will always be there to guide and inspire them.

Dean is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Terry; his sons, Jason and Dallas; his daughters-in-law, Reelika and Jit; his brothers, Darrell and John and their families; and - most especially - his beloved grandkids, Paul, Shannon, Hunter and Rosie. Dean enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren more than anything and lived his life to see them happy.

The family would like to thank all of the hospital staff and healthcare workers who took such great care of him in Princeton, Penticton and Kelowna. Dean was a big believer in always showing people appreciation and we know he considered you to be heroes just as we do.

In lieu of a traditional Funeral, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later, happier date. Though he deserves the biggest of sendoffs, the last thing he would ever want is to make anyone sad.

Memorial tributes may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada at https://www.heartandstroke.ca/how-you-can-help/ways-to-give or to Diabetes Canada at https://www.diabetes.ca, two causes he was very passionate about.