With heavy hearts the family of Sheamus Elvish, age 29, announces his unexpected passing on Friday, November 11, 2022.
Sheamus was born March 2, 1993, in Thunder Bay to Elyse (Wilson) and Patrick Elvish. He attended JK at St. Margaret’s School, then moved to Scotland Street and began his schooling and social adventures at Nor’wester View School, then Sir Winston Churchill High. During high school he was a passionate member of the junior and senior football teams and was involved in the military.
Sheamus began his work life and endless love for pizza at Golden Bakery and Eat Local Pizza, impressing all with his work ethic and attitude. He was later hired at Bombardier, where he worked for 4 years. Sheamus pursued an accounting diploma at Confederation College while continuing to work full-time at Bombardier, then undertook an apprenticeship as a crane operator for Amherst in Toronto. He truly loved this job (and did extremely well at it) and the friendships made. After 3 ½ years, he returned to Thunder Bay, having missed the love and support of his hometown, friends, and family. In 2022, Sheamus enjoyed working at the Neebing Roadhouse before resuming his crane apprenticeship with LH North Ltd. in Thunder Bay.
Sheamus was also an active downhill skier and loved honing his skills on the hill with his brother. He enjoyed hitting the gym, and his skateboarding continues to entertain on Instagram. Sheamus’ times with Danny, golfing at FWCC, and with his extended Gruen family at Oliver Lake, brought much excitement to his life and others. Sheamus also became an active surfer on Lake Superior and then, Lake Ontario, while he was in Toronto. We have many photos of Sheamus in his wetsuit in November and December, dripping icicles as he loaded up his surfboard with friends after an afternoon in the huge waves!
Sheamus also devoted himself to judo and earned a black belt, becoming an assistant to Dr. Norm Sakumoto, his Sensei and good friend. Judo was just one of many passions Sheamus shared with his brother, Patch. Sheamus developed a sense of service at the age of 13 that would continue until his time of passing. Through volunteering, with Sak at his side, he introduced his love of this sport to many young people, including running week-long summer camps. After returning to Thunder Bay, Sheamus returned as a Sensei at Sakamoto Judo Dojo, teaching with Patch and close friends. Volunteerism meant a great deal to Sheamus - even while in Toronto, he got involved with a Japanese Association, accompanying them on outings to help them with their English; Sheamus even learned some Japanese.
His many, many friends say Sheamus was one-of-a-kind - devoted and honest, full of life and fun, his massive personality radiating to make everyone happier. Sheamus celebrated creativity in himself and others (for example, his symbolic tattoos). Tributes to his generosity, thoughtfulness, exuberance and enthusiastic readiness to embrace ‘the extreme’ have poured in, and his family is most thankful.
Although Sheamus had points in his life where he battled lows and undeniable obstacles, his joy for life and its limitless adventures took many on a memorable ride. Sheamus is and will always be a special soul; always willing to jump in with every appendage.
Sheamus will be deeply missed by his mother Elyse, his father Patrick, sister Kylee (Brett; here from Dubai) and brother Patrick (Abby). His grandparents (Lorraine Wilson; Odene and Bob Elvish), and many aunts, and uncles (Harold and Lena; Greg; Jonathan and Joanne; Jacquie; Robert and Judy; Felice; Jenn and Jack; and, Andrew and Vlad) grieve his passing. Sheamus shared close bonds with his cousins, namely, his ‘Sandy Beach' Elvish cousins: Graham (Lexie), Laurel (Adam), Todd (Madison), Lauren (Marc), Robert, Nicole and Paige, and his ‘Mawn Lake’ Wilson cousins: Margarita, Sasha, Katya, Luke, Tyler, and Grace.
Sheamus was predeceased by his beloved “Papa,” Harry Wilson, in 2014, with whom he had a special bond, and by his Uncle Don (Jacquie) Splawsky, also a very special man.
In the last year, Sheamus was able to share his love with someone as truly genuine as he, Molly Dunstan, and her two amazing children, Brooke and Morgan. It was through this relationship that Sheamus was able to experience the joy and love he deserved while planning fun family adventures.
A Celebration of Sheamus’ Life will be held at the Neebing Roadhouse from 1 to 4 pm on Monday, November 28th. If friends and family wish, donations in Sheamus’s memory can be made to DEK Foundation (www.dekfoundation.com).
