It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Patrick (Pat) Martin Cummins of Ottawa at the age of 79. He died Saturday, May 18, 2024 in the ICU of the Brampton Civic Hospital following emergency surgery for an abdominal aortic aneurysm. He was surrounded by his wife of 52 years, Dianne (Bonsor), daughters, Julie Sinclair and Carolyn Cummins, son-in-law Dan Adamson, and grandchildren, Toby and Tyler Adamson and Corbin and Quinn Sinclair. He is predeceased by his beloved son-in-law, Brian Sinclair.
Pat was born in Saskatoon and raised in Blucher, Saskatchewan, the eldest son of Thomas Cummins and Cathleen Callaghan and beloved older brother of Gerald Cummins. Pat attended boarding school in Zenon Park, SK and studied history and philosophy at St Thomas More College, University of Saskatchewan. He joined the RCMP in 1967 and was selected to attend law school at McGill University earning his LLB and BCL. While in Vancouver, BC (1990-1994) he served as OIC of Contract Policing, he relocated to Ottawa in 1994 to serve as Director of Training and then in 1997 became the first Ethics Advisor of the RCMP. He was promoted to Assistant Commissioner in 1994 and retired in 2001 after 35 years of service. Among the highlights of his distinguished career, he was awarded the Commissioner’s Commendation (1983) for leading a high-profile fraud investigation into international Customs law that led to the then largest ever fine in the history of Canada for a criminal conviction; he helped investigate the high profile 1985 Air India bombing, and years later shared this expertise, joining the Lockerbie Pan Am disaster investigation.
In 1970, the summer before starting law school, Pat met Dianne at the Cock‘n Bull Pub in Montreal. He immediately knew she would be the woman he would marry and thus researched the British Columbia marriage laws early on in their courtship. A man of integrity, he abided by Dianne’s “must date for at least two years before marriage” rule, and they wed June 24, 1972 in New Westminster, BC.
In 2003, Pat happily accepted the invitation to come out of retirement and re-engage with the RCMP as a temporary civilian member and was appointed Tribunal Investigator in the Republic of Ireland. Pat and Dianne lived in Dublin for the next four years, weekending and vacationing across Europe. Pat regarded this time as his ‘second honeymoon’. Once back in Canada, Pat enjoyed retirement by volunteering for Perley Health for the past 20 years transporting veterans to and from Mass, chronically fixing his 1989 LeSharo Winnebago, fishing with close friends on the Serpentine River in Newfoundland, exploring his genealogy, travelling and cruising with Dianne, watching his grandchildren play hockey, spending Christmas holidays with family at Montebello and sampling his extensive Scotch collection.
Pat had an insatiable curiosity and expressed a real desire to help others. As an avid reader, it could be difficult to get his attention when he was engrossed in a newspaper, magazine, or history book. He was an exceptional listener who would provide sound counsel on a wide range of topics. With an occasional sideways glance and gruff chuckle, he served to remind us not to take a situation or oneself too seriously. He had the endearing quality of ‘dropping in’ on people, unannounced, especially at suppertime, much to Dianne’s chagrin. Pat’s greatest gift was connecting with people. He easily built friendships and actively maintained connections, sending over 200 Christmas cards annually to relatives and friends. He will be remembered as a true gentleman - kind, intelligent, curious, caring, with a great sense of humour - who touched the lives of everyone he met.
We would like to thank the Toronto Paramedic Service paramedics and the doctors, nurses and healthcare staff at the Brampton Civic Hospital who cared for Pat and showed us much compassion.
Family and friends are invited to join us in honouring Pat’s memory at a public visitation to be held at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Avenue, on June 5th from 5-7 pm. A memorial service will be held on June 6th at 1 pm with a reception from 2-5 pm. For those unable to attend in person, a live stream link will be available on the Beechwood website.
In memory of Pat, donations made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be greatly appreciated.
Digital Guestbook
Kevin Burris
Denis Constant
It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of my great friend Pat. A remarkable humble person who dedicated his life to help others. His words of wisdom were always a source of inspiration. Rest in peace Pat. We will you. Sincere condolences to Diane and the entire family.
Susan Dorion
Pat’s wonderful sense of humour, intelligence and generosity were all evident in our short acquaintance on the Queen Mary 2. Even more so, was his love for Dianne and his two daughters and their families. Sending my sincere sympathy to Dianne, Carolyn and Julie, and their families and friends. He will be dearly missed.
Louise McConaghy ( Kinahan)
So extremely sorry for you Diane and family on the loss of Pat. He was so down to earth and friendly. I remember your wedding dance at the Manhattan-full of family and fun.
Christian Guerino
What a great person and what a huge loss to the world. I admired and loved this wonderful man. I grew by being around him for the short time I was lucky to have with him. I'm so sorry for your family and hope Diane, Carolyn and Julie know how much he was appreciated, loved and will be remembered.
Jacques Bernard
Dear Dianne and family,
I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Pat. My heartfelt condolences go out to you and your family during this difficult time. Pat was a wonderful colleague whose contributions and kindness will always be remembered. My thoughts are with you.
With sympathy,
Jacques Bernard
Roger and Margaret Amoroso
Our deepest condolences, Dianne and family, on the passing of Pat--a wonderful friend and colleague with whom we enjoyed so many Ottawa Whiskey Lovers single malt tastings and dinners. He was a good prairie lad and he shared with me a love of the big blue skies of Saskatchewan. With much sympathy and love,
Susan Munn
Pat had a great sense of humour. I recall the last time I saw him at a recent Vets lunch where he told this hilarious story recounting how RCMP members had to sign reports years ago something to the effect, "your faithful and loyal servant" and how an RCMP colleague signed something slightly different and the report went undetected through the chain of command. He also has an amazing person to serve with and call a friend—my condolences to Dianne, his family and close friends.
Alain Martel & Suzanne Frappier
C'est avec un grande tristesse que nous avons appris le décès de notre ami Pat. Nous offrons à Dianne, Julie, Carolyn et toute la famille, nos plus sincères condoléances. Au fil des années, il est resté en contact avec nous, soit pour un anniversaire ou une occasion spéciale. Il était un gentlemen avec qui on aimait jaser et blaguer. Il nous manquera. Bon repos mon ami Pat!
Darlene Poulin
I too knew Pat from his volunteering at the Perley. I used to enjoy coffee time after Sunday mass when we would chat. He never failed to have a funny story to share. My father's family came from a small town in Saskatchewan and we held a huge family reunion in Zenon Park. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. My deepest sympathies to Dianne and the family.
Deepest condolences to Pat’s family and friends. He put me and a friend up in Dublin during a backpacking trip many years ago, and insisted we get the full Irish experience by sticking us on a train to the other side of the country to see Galway and the famed Cliffs of Moher. He also had plenty of sage advice for my friend who was thinking of joining the RCMP (“You should learn to speak Cree!”)
Back in Canada he kept tabs on me through my mom, Kathy Kinahan, and we met up a couple times in Vancouver and Toronto for drinks or coffee. I was always pleased to see a Christmas e-card from him in my inbox. He will be sorely missed.