FEBRUARY 16, 1963 – JUNE 16, 2024
It is with a heavy heart that I am announcing Shawn’s sudden passing on June 16, 2024 at the age of 61 years, due to a tragic drowning accident.
Shawn was the beloved husband to Jillian Drage for 10 years, having also been a friend to her for nearly 25. He was the loving father of Megan Young, and remained close friends with his former wife, Janet Young (nee Pulford). Dearest brother-in-law to Robyn Drage, and will be fondly remembered by his mother and father-in-law, extended family, friends, and colleagues. Shawn had also recently re-connected with his biological father, Kenneth Young. Predeceased by his mother Gwen Both (nee Hoey).
Born and raised in Weston Ontario, Shawn also spent many summers at the cottage built by his grandfather in Wasaga Beach (at Allenwood Beach), where he also spent his final days. He met his first wife Janet in high school, marrying in 1985. He attended the University of Waterloo studying Applied Chemistry. Starting his career in industry, he transitioned to study Teaching at the University of Toronto, teaching high school briefly before returning to industry. Shawn spent most of his career (nearly 25 years) at Apotex Pharmachem in R&D, Process Operations, and Business Development. Over his career he mentored many others with his wisdom, and made the workplace enjoyable with his fun-loving, humble, and kind personality. He recently finished his career at ACIC as Director of API Research & Regulatory Affairs, and had excitedly just embarked upon a new phase of his life, having started his retirement only two weeks prior.
Shawn was a soft-spoken intellectual who listened to the CBC and still subscribed to the old-school paper version of the Globe and Mail. He was a Wikipedia aficionado, competitive Wordle-er, and had a genuine love for science. His softer side was expressed through his nurturing of many dogs and cats over his lifetime. He was always ready to pitch in and help others, showing up with his toolkit and a smile. He was an athlete up until the end, competing in many cycling and running events in his youth, as well as hockey, skiing, Taekwondo (with his daughter), and regular workouts at the YMCA. He took his fitness very seriously and continued to run a few times a week, albeit slower of late, with his beloved Garmin watch feeding the data-nerd inside him. He took up paddle-boarding nearly 10 years ago, and loved being out on Georgian Bay every summer. He was recently returning to sailing with his closest friend Pasquale Leone. He had a genuine love of nature, and was happiest when hiking a new trail, forcing his daughter and wife “out for a walk”, or exploring a new geography on a vacation adventure.
Special thanks to the OPP marine unit and Wasaga Beach Fire and Rescue. We received much appreciated support that day from the Allenwood Beach community, the police officers, and the caring staff at Collingwood General & Marine Hospital.
Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Shawn’s Life will be scheduled at a later date in July.
Donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or your local Humane Society may be shared through the funeral home at www.couttsfuneralhome.com. Many of you will remember Shawn canvassing for Heart and Stroke every year following his emergency heart surgery in 2012, which had blessed us with many more years of his laughter and love.
