We are currently in an anchorage called Farmer’s Cay, in the Exhumas, located approximately 15 nautical miles south of Staniel Cay. I wrote the following this morning as the sun came up. It was a beautiful morning sitting in our cockpit. A storm went by last night drastically reducing the very high humidity. The sun was already warm on my back and I was greatly appreciating the comfortable, lovely, dry air as I sip my coffee.

I have so much to share from our recent weeks of friends and family visiting us but before I do, Jason, Dylan and I want to honour a special person.  We find we do not have to look very far to be reminded of the biggest reason why we are doing the Big Trip…life is short. It’s not comfortable to think about, but none of us really know what tomorrow brings. None of us know how many more times in our lives the sun will rise. On February 29^th, Bill Dawson, a family friend and fellow sailor, sadly had his last sunrise.

Jason’s family has known Bill for many, many years. They sailed with him and his wife, Judy at Gimli Yacht Club. Soon after, Bill became Jason and Matthew’s (Jason’s younger brother) dentist. Before I met Jason, Bill had gone through heartache that would bring anyone to their knees. First, the sudden loss of their adopted, eight-year-old son, Peter, and then ten years later, the loss of his wife Judy.

Jason and I reconnected with him and his now fiancé, Brigitte as we were preparing for the Big Trip. I will always remember the day they had us over for lunch about a year before we left on our trip. That day at their place, I couldn’t help but be fascinated by Bill. He found true love and contentment again. Through his life, he has overcome unbearable tragedy yet found the strength to let himself find such happiness with Brigitte and her family! Bill was proof of how strong the human spirit is and I will never forget that.

The day we were at their place, Bill was preparing to take an exam. Brigitte’s son was taking a very challenging, advanced level math class and Bill wanted to do everything he could to be supportive to him so he enrolled in the same class! Who does that!? We spent our afternoon with them enjoying Brigitte’s fresh baked pretzels and talking about how excited we all were for our upcoming sailing adventures. They gushed proudly showing us pictures of their gorgeous sailboat called Summertime.   

We eventually set off on our Big Trip and our hope was that at some point we’d cross paths with Bill and Brigitte somewhere in the Exumas on white sandy beaches and crystal blue waters. We just never thought it would be under these heartbreaking circumstances.

On February 8^th, Brigitte messaged Jason saying that Bill was suddenly very sick. They need to end their winter sailing trip and get the boat back Florida as quick as they could. They dropped anchor beside us in West Nassau Channel to wait on favourable winds and invited Dale, Jennifer, Jason and I over. That happened to be the same day that Jennifer and Dale arrived for their stay on Starship.

It was clear to see that Brigitte was so very worried, yet she was such a gracious host that night. They had brought their daughter Tanja onboard to help sail the boat back when Bill got sick. Tanja hit it off very well with Dale and Jennifer that night as they all spoke German. I had no idea what they the three of them were talking about but I could easily see they really enjoyed each other’s company. I’d like to think that having friends around them helped with the anxieties of the very difficult situation they were in. It was clear to us when we saw Bill that something was wrong. We hoped so much, as they did too, that it was something that could’ve begun to be remedied as soon as he got home to his doctor. When we left their boat that night, Brigitte loaded us up with bags of all the food they bought for their sailing trip that they now knew they could not use. The next morning, February 15^th, we watched them pulled anchor and eight days later Brigitte messaged us with the heartbreaking news of his diagnosis. Her message to us on February 29^th took our breath away. Bill had passed away.

We are saddened that we will not be able to attend his Happy Hour (date TBD) at Gimli Yacht Club this summer but are so thankful we had that precious evening with them in Nassau. The same day that he will be honoured in Gimli, we will raise a toast and ring our ship’s bell for him eight times – a tradition done to signify that a sailor’s final watch has ended. We will think of him as we watch the sunset over the turquoise, Bahamian waters that we know he and Brigitte together loved so much.

Brigitte has created a beautiful memorial website for Bill https://everloved.com/life-of/william-joseph-dawson/

Here is his obituary as it was posted in the Winnipeg Free Press on March 9^th, 2024:

WILLIAM JOSEPH DAWSON

April 21, 1950 – February 29, 2024

We are heartbroken to announce the sudden passing of William (Bill) Dawson, 73, on February 29, 2024, in Winnipeg after a brief battle with cancer. Bill passed away as he had wished, peacefully at home in the arms of his soulmate Brigitte and surrounded by family.

Bill is lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his three families and many friends who had the great fortune of having had Bill in their lives. Bill leaves behind his fiancé Brigitte and her five children, Sascha, Tanja, Katja, Larissa, and Nicolas; his sister Nancy and his three brothers Pat (Cora), Don (Katerina), and Randy; his late wife’s family, as well as his numerous nieces and nephews. Bill was predeceased by his son Peter, his late wife Judy, and his parents Madeline and Earl Dawson.

Bill was born on April 21, 1950, in Estevan, SK, and grew up in Rivers, MB, where he attended Rivers Elementary and Rivers Collegiate Institute. Bill studied dentistry at the University of Manitoba and joined the Canadian Armed Forces attaining the rank of Captain. After completing his service, he established a successful dental practice in Winnipeg. Bill was not just a dentist to his patients, but a compassionate listener and a friend, always putting their comfort and well-being first.

In 1974, Bill married Judy Page and later welcomed their son Peter into their lives through adoption in 1986. They relocated to a farm in Teulon and established their own dental practice. Tragically, Peter lost his life when he was just eight years old. Despite this devastating loss, Bill remained a pillar of strength for his family, demonstrating resilience and unwavering love in the face of unimaginable sorrow. To honor Peter’s memory, a ski run called ‘Peter’s Run’ was affectionately dedicated to him at Lake Louise Ski Resort, a place Bill cherished for skiing in remembrance of his son. Sadly, Judy passed away in 2008 after a difficult battle with cancer.

Bill had a zest for life and an adventurous spirit. His first car was a brand-new Fiat 124 Spider, which he enjoyed driving briskly with the top down, and which accompanied him his entire life. He found peace on the water and in the air and spent countless hours sailing his sailboat “Sunshine” and flying his Chinook airplane. His other passions included alpine and cross-country skiing, a pursuit that brought him exhilaration and camaraderie with his family and friends. Bill was also enthusiastic about golf, enjoying many weekends on the course with friends and family and relishing the challenge that came with each round, creating cherished memories that will be treasured forever.

For the last 15 years, Bill shared all these passions with his best friend and soulmate Brigitte, whom he met at a friend’s Christmas party. Brigitte’s family warmly welcomed Bill with open arms, embracing him like one of their own and appreciating the happiness and support he added to their lives. Five years ago, Bill and Brigitte set out on an adventure of a lifetime when they purchased their sailboat “Summertime”; their home away from home. They enjoyed spending their winters sailing and exploring the turquoise waters of the Bahamas, creating beautiful memories that would last a lifetime.

Bill will always be remembered for his kindness, helpfulness, and genuine interest in people’s lives, and the way he always put others first. His warmth, generosity, and loving nature will be deeply missed by his families, friends, and all who had the privilege of crossing paths with him. Though he may no longer be with us in person, his spirit will continue to live on in the countless memories shared and the lives he touched.

As Bill was a modest man who did not seek the spotlight, it was his wish to be cremated and not have a funeral or Celebration of Life. Instead, a ‘Happy Hour’, as he so often enjoyed in the summers on Lake Winnipeg and in the winters in the Bahamas, will be held in his honour this summer at the Gimli Yacht Club. Details to be announced.

Sail on, Bill.

You hold a special place in all our hearts, and we will miss you every day.