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
Erin Scullion and Douglas McKercher
Penny Price
A lovely, humble gentleman who raised a smart, independent daughters who now carry his legacy through the generations
Art O’Donnell
Pat was as close a friend as anyone I know. He was kind, gentle, giving and had a way with people that made him a person everyone could connect with. He took me under his wing and made me a better person for knowing him. To Dianne and family, my deepest sympathies and condolences. Your loss will be heaven’s gain. I hope we can get a chance to speak during his viewing and remembrance celebration.
Philip McLellan
Deeply sorry to hear of Pat's passing. Thoroughly enjoyed our association.
Condolences to the family.
Phil McLellan, A/Comm'r. Ret'd.
Gilbert Pelletier
Suzanne and I offer our deepest condolences to you, Julie, Caroline and other siblings. Pat was a good friend who I first knew in 1956 when he and bother Gerald attended school in Duck Lake, Sk.
He always kept in touch. He was the Master of Cerimony at my wedding and was honored to be his at his wedding.
Although we only saw each other occasionally, we continued as if we had been together yesterday.
He will be missed.
Nancy Cooper
Sincere sympathy to Dianne ,family and friends. Only met recently on the cruise but had such a full interesting life and know he will be missed.
Jim Hislop
Very sad to hear that Pat has passed away. I had the pleasure of meeting and working with [then C/Supt Cummins] when he was the OIC Contract Policing in "E" Division. He was a man of integrity, a true gentleman and always a pleasure to be in his company. My sincere condolences to family and friends. Pat will be fondly remembered.
Mary Petrie
Thinking of the many happy times we had with Pat and Dianne on our recent cruise, l will remember a fine gentleman, quiet, kind and gracious to all, with a delightful smile and chuckle. It was much too short a time to know him. My thoughts now are with Dianne.
Glenn Crawford
Pat was one of the kindest people i have ever known
Although related by Dianne's brother, Bram (rip) as his stepson, i always felt part of the family. As mentioned, Pat's geneology, family reunions, and extensive Christmas card list showed how amiable, kind and involved he was to all, kith and kin
A truly positive person to all, you always knew Pat was there to chat, listen, hear how your day/week had been
And always have a story of someone he knew, had met, reached out to, not for gain, just because it was the right thing to do
Yves Campagna
Dear Dianne,
Noée and I extend our deepest sympathies to you and your family during this difficult time. Pat's passing deeply saddens us, and we want you to know that our thoughts are with you.
Pat and I had the privilege of collaborating on several cases together, and each interaction was marked by a sense of mutual respect and dedication. His commitment to our work was unwavering, and his insights were invaluable in navigating towards successful outcomes. Pat embodied trustworthiness in every aspect of his professional and personal life, making him not only a colleague but also a dear friend.
His presence will be sorely missed, and the impact of his contributions will be felt for years to come. Please know that we are here to support you in any way we can during this challenging period.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Dianne and family, we appreciate the little time we had to get to know him and lament the time we didn't. Dianne, we will be here for you and look forward to spending more time with you. Love, Erin and Doug