Thomas Stephen Chiasson

Thomas Stephen Chiasson, age 81, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2026. Born on March 8, 1945 in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Tom was the son of Willie John and Cecile (Leblanc) Chiasson and one of six children who grew up on Ashby Road.

Tom was predeceased by his brothers Clarence (Sheila) and Fred (Judy), and his baby sister Linda Marie. He is survived by his sisters Elaine (Leonard) and Charlotte (Bruno) and numerous nieces and nephews.

Tom will be lovingly remembered by his longtime partner, Brenda Power; his three daughters, Denise (Stephen), Anita, and Celeste; and his seven grandchildren, Kendra, Katrina, Allyson, Connor, Lily, Sadie, and Cash. He also leaves behind his closest friends Jeff, Kellie, Wayne, Mary, and PJ, whom he cared for deeply.

Tom graduated from Sydney Academy in 1962 and went on to attend Xavier College in Sydney. While there, he proudly served as President of the Student Co-op Society and Chairman of the Social Committee, helping build the most profitable student society the school had ever seen. He graduated from the business program with aspirations of entering the corporate world.

He began his career with Ford Motor Company in Oakville, Ontario, before transferring to Winnipeg, where he travelled throughout the Prairies as a service representative. He later purchased Elie Ford Sales with a partner and operated the dealership for many years. In 1981, Tom returned to Nova Scotia and established The Shine Factory, managing multiple franchise locations across Atlantic Canada and earning the nickname “Tom Shine.” In the early 1990s, he founded Auto Detail Depot, a business he proudly operated until his retirement in 2020 at the age of 75. Based on Kempt Road for over 40 years, Tom built strong relationships across the local automotive community and often proclaimed, “I never, ever missed a day of work!”

Tom was happiest on the ocean. A decades-long member of the Armdale Yacht Club, he served on the Committee of Management and was a past editor of The Burgee. His love of boating evolved from small outboard powerboats to sailboats in the 1990s, and later to power boating. Tom could often be found tinkering aboard his final boat, Gran Time, which was always spotless and stocked with cold drinks—especially Crown Royal and Diet Coke. “Whoopie!” He enjoyed chatting with everyone at the club and was always ready to lend a hand or tie a line.

Throughout his life, Tom enjoyed volunteering, particularly with social clubs, as he loved bringing people together. In the early 1970s, he served as Vice-President of the Kinsmen Club in Winnipeg. Tom lived in Manitoba for a decade, raising his children and his youngest sister, Charlotte. Several close friends from Cape Breton followed him west, and Cape Breton parties became a regular tradition. After returning to the Maritimes, Tom remained active in organizing yacht club events and served on his condominium board for many years. In the 80’s and 90s, Tom could frequently be found at the Split Crow or O’Carrolls reconnecting with his Maritime friends.

In his younger years, Tom was an avid camper and proudly called himself “One Match Tom” for his campfire-lighting skills at Grand Beach, West Hawk Lake, Lake of the Woods, and earlier in Ben Eoin, Cape Breton. He once owned an old, converted school bus, creating many memorable adventures on Manitoba roads.

Tom was never shy about expressing how proud he was of his three daughters for achievements in their post-secondary education, successful business careers and raising families. As they all lived outside Halifax, their visits were precious opportunities to reconnect, often spent together on the water -- Tom’s favourite place to be.

Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 18th from 2-4pm at the Armdale Yacht Club. Please join us in raising a glass and sharing memories of Tom.