March 14th, 2016
Captain John Scott Dewar, CD, MSM, B.Sc., M.Sc., pcsc, RCN (Ret’d)
Colonel W.G.S. (Bill) Sutherland, CD (Ret’d), Chair of the Commissionaires National Board of Directors is deeply saddened to announce that Captain John Scott Dewar, RCN (Ret’d), Chair of the Commissionaires National Business Management Committee and Chief Executive Officer of Commissionaires Victoria, the Islands and Yukon, passed away on Thursday 10 March 2016 at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, BC, after a brief illness. He was 65 years old.
John was appointed CEO of Commissionaires Victoria in 2012 and was elected Chair of the Commissionaires National Business Management Committee in 2013.
John joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1969, rising through the ranks from sailor to Captain. He spent many years at sea, commanding Her Majesty’s Canadian Ships CHIGNECTO, MIRAMICHI and HURON. In the mid-1990s, he served on exchange with the United States Naval Doctrine Command, where he was awarded the U.S. Meritorious Service Medal for his contribution to multinational naval operations. He served as the Director General Maritime Development and Operations in Ottawa where he provided direction on maritime operations, identified emerging naval requirements, and managed strategic business planning.
Upon retiring from the Navy in 2000, John simply transferred his abundant talents to industry, making an indelible mark on the shipbuilding industries in Ottawa, Chile and St. Catharines. Prior to joining Commissionaires he spent five years as the Vice President, Strategic Services for Upper Lakes Shipyards.
John was a graduate of Royal Roads Military College (B.Sc. Physics and Physical Oceanography in 1978), the University of British Columbia (M.Sc Physics in 1980), the Canadian Forces College (Command and Staff Course in and the Advanced Military Studies Course) and the Lockheed Martin Institute of Leadership Excellence (Management Strategies).
John will be tremendously missed by members of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires across Canada, his team at Commissionaires Victoria, and his former colleagues with the Royal Canadian Navy. John leaves behind his wife Diana, son Scott and daughters Jessica and Ellen and three grandchildren.
John Dewar’s passing leaves an enormous void for his family and his many friends around the world. He was totally committed to the Commissionaires as an organization and to the people who make up the Corps. He worked exceptionally hard at both the Divisional and National level to ensure the prosperity of the business and the well-being of the individual Commissionaires. We could not have asked for a more caring and dedicated leader.