System Mechanic - Clean, repair, protect, and speed up your PC!Jeff Dickins, Sportswriter
April 15, 1955 - May 10, 2003
His wispy brown hair was wild, his clothes were rumpled and his glasses were just slightly slanted. More often than not Jeff Dickins looked like an unmade bed. But for those who knew him, the comparison was made only in the most affectionate tones. He was warm, a little quirky and always comfortable to be around.
The long-time Hamilton Spectator sportswriter died suddenly at his home on Saturday. He was 48. "Jeff was not what you thought he was," said McMaster men's basketball coach Joe Raso. "His glasses never, ever fit him right. You look at him and think 'this guy's going to write sports?' But he captured everything. "I always thought he'd be a great guy to write a book because he was such a great writer. He had things in perspective all the time."
During his 25-year newspaper career that began in 1977, he covered the landmark Lupino court case where the courts recognized the existence of the Canadian Mafia, the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Grey Cups, Canada Cups and Vanier Cups. Former Spectator managing editor Gerry Nott, now editor-in-chief of CanWest's Canadian news desk, marveled at the way Dickins saw a news story. "We worked the Lupino trial together and the guy had a way of seeing a story nobody else could see," said Nott. "He'd be coming at it from somewhere that would make me think if we were in the same courtroom or not. It was brilliant. He'd make me feel stupid. He had a knack for that and could write it, too." Dickins was happiest talking sports but at his best writing about it. Dr. Jim Charters, the long-time Hamilton Tiger-Cat team doctor, called Dickins one of the best writers he ever saw. Dickins loved being part of the sports arena, whether it was covering the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, McMaster Marauders or high school athletics. His knowledge and insight knew no bounds. He possessed a unique sensitivity that saved many an athlete public humiliation.
"In all of the years I've known him, I can't remember him writing anything hurtful to anybody," said Mike McCarthy, Tiger-Cats director of player personnel. "He wrote the story but he didn't put in a twist that would hurt the player's personality or downgrade them. He handled everything in a humane manner. I don't know if that's good or bad for a sports writer but that's the way he was.
" Mike Morton, athletic convener for Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic School Board was impressed that Dickins wrote about the kids and was always "keenly interested in their accomplishments". Those who knew him well know of his love to gab. Sometimes a five-minute interview would often last 45 minutes.
"He was a super intelligent guy who could talk about anything and we often did," said McMaster Marauders' football coach Greg Marshall. "He'd come into my office and just shoot the breeze. We'd get off topic and forget where we were going." But Marshall trusted him and respected him. "I certainly enjoyed him being around the football program," Marshall said. "It seemed more then a job for him. I think he really liked being around here. I'm going to miss him." Dickins had a small circle of people he called friends. "He was a very alone type of guy and it's difficult to say why," said McCarthy. "He'd talk about his family and his dog, Lucy. He'd ask about my kids and what they were doing but you never really got close to him. "He was a little different in an odd kind of way but very special in another kind of way." McCarthy had a tradition of having St. Patrick's Day parties. For eight years Dickins brought Bushmills because it was Irish. McCarthy still has them in his liquor cabinet.
Eccentricity ran through him. He was sensitive, almost to a fault. Patience was not his strong suit. He was plagued with self-doubt and waged a battle with his demons. But long-time friend and former Ticat trainer Ray Jones said he was always good company. He enjoyed having a beer and talking with his buddies. That wasn't the best thing he could do for his health because he was diagnosed with diabetes in 1987. He didn't seem to care or mind. His health started spiraling out of control the last year. "Everybody you talk to thought the world of him and he wouldn't look after himself," said Jones."
He is survived by his mother, father, two brothers and a sister. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Special thank to Tony Fitzgerald of The Hamilton Spectator who wrote this story and gave us permission to use it for our tribute to Jeff.
