It is with deep sadness and regret that we announce the passing of our brother and uncle, Maurice Chiasson, RN, on the 23rd of May, 2020 in Whitehorse, Yukon, after a 15-month battle with cancer.
Maurice was born in Antigonish, N.S. on December 9th, 1954, the son of the late Leo P. and Florence (Aucoin) Chiasson. He received his early schooling in the Antigonish area and graduated from St. Martha’s School of Nursing in 1980, having had previous work experience as a nursing orderly at St. Martha’s Hospital and the Nova Scotia Hospital in Dartmouth.
In 1980 he began a distinguished nursing career in Vancouver, working at St. Paul’s Hospital, Shaughnessey Hospital, and Vancouver General. He subsequently completed a Certificate in Outpost Nursing and for many years worked in various outposts, both large and small, in the Yukon. His nursing and administrative skills led him to several years delivering critical care and advanced life support for the Medevac Air Ambulance service as well as acting as manager for their emergency response network. He was selected to be team leader and organizer for the SARS testing services at Vancouver airport and spent the summers of 2007 and 2008 working at the hospitals in Cheticamp and Antigonish. Most recently, Maurice worked at Copper Ridge Place retirement home and in Emergency Services at Whitehorse General before his cancer diagnosis forced him to retire.
Maurice was a skilled diagnostician, as well as a fountain of medical knowledge and common sense, in his dealings with patients in indigenous and outpost communities. In addition, he played a key role as mentor for many young nurses who were making their way in the profession. His passions in his free time involved cooking and baking, travelling to warm corners of the world, and spending time at the family cottage in Cheticamp.
He is survived by his siblings: Leona (George Williams), Antigonish, NS; Clifford (Anne McGlynn), Moncton, NB; Denise (Don Beadle), Robert’s Creek, BC; Andre, Singapore; his nephew: Mark Williams, Kittimat, BC; his nieces : Denise Williams, Hamilton, Ont.; Marcia (Chiasson) Dumbreck , Guelph, Ont.; Jennifer Chiasson, Banff, Alberta; and Julie Beadle, Sydney, Australia; as well as many cousins, near and far.
Cremation has taken place and any planned celebrations of life, whether in the Yukon or Nova Scotia, will occur when travel restrictions due to Covid are lifted.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Maurice Chiasson December 9 1954 May 23 2020..
Death notice for the town of: Whitehorse, Province: Colombie britanique