‘Great guy’ David Dawson was a true blue Tory
Hamilton man was so dedicated to the party, the last four digits in his phone number were TORY
Conservative stalwart David Dawson is being remembered for his lifetime dedication to the party rather than his mishandling of party funds.
“He made one mistake that was out of character,” said longtime friend and former Ontario Progressive Conservative party president Ken Zeise.
“We’re not going to remember David for that one mistake. One mistake doesn’t blow away 50 years of being a big volunteer ... He was a fixture in the party.”
Dawson died Dec. 19 at 68 at his home on Hughson Street South in Hamilton. Cause of death was not released by his family.
He was charged in October 2019 with fraud over $5,000 and two counts of theft in connection with a $30,000 refund from Elections Canada in 2015 that did not make its way into the coffers of the Hamilton Centre Conservative Electoral District Association.
Party executive Mark DiMillo, who headed a committee looking into the missing money, told The Spectator at that time Dawson characterized the matter as a mistake in October 2018. The party went to police after it determined the money had been spent and sought compensation in small claims court.
Zeise and friend John Mykytyshyn say Dawson never got his day in court before the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March and the courts were shuttered.
“People make mistakes,” said Mykytyshyn, a political consultant and well-known Conservative media commentator. “He had 50 years of an unblemished record of being a dedicated volunteer. He was always there and could be always counted on.
“He was such a great guy. He is going to be sorely missed in Conservative circles.”
Dawson was also a dedicated member of Ryerson United Church at Main Street East and Springer Avenue.
Dawson’s involvement with the Conservative party came from his parents, who were active members. He probably served in every role — provincially and federally — in the Hamilton Centre riding associations and various election campaigns, including as campaign manager to Hamilton Mountain Conservative candidate Don Graves in the 2006 federal election.
He attended many conferences and conventions, including the 2015 leadership convention in Toronto where he backed the winner Patrick Brown. (Brown resigned in 2018 after allegations of sexual misconduct).
Zeise recalled being at an event with Dawson when a woman came up and said she knew his father when he ran a campaign for a certain Tory candidate. He said Dawson was beaming.
Dawson cherished his connection to the party so much the last four digits on his cellphone spelled TORY.
Mykytyshyn said he spoke to Dawson three days before he died and, as always, the topic was politics.
“Just general stuff, current events stuff,” he recalled. “We always talked about politics.”
A PC cabinet minister, a Tory MPP and two former MPPs praised Dawson on social media. Current provincial Labour, Training and Skills Development Minister Monte McNaughton said he “loved this man.”
“Dave Dawson lived and breathed Hamilton conservatism,” said Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett.
“I’ve attended many Hamilton events over 25 years and always looked forward to seeing Dave because he was always there, always made me feel welcome, and made the whole experience a lot of fun.”
Former Hamilton Mountain MPP Trevor Pettit called Dawson “a dedicated party guy,” and former Brantford MPP Phil Gillies described him as “a tireless happy warrior.”
According to Zeise, Dawson was born and grew up in Hamilton. He was16 when he first met Dawson in 1979, and Mykytyshyn said he first met him at McMaster University. Dawson was a member of the McMaster PC Association.
Dawson served as the Ontario director on the executive of the National Youth Progressive Conservative Federation. He was also on the executive of the Ontario PC Youth and the Ontario PC Campus Association.
Mykytyshyn said Dawson had various jobs, including working for a computer company. He was a member of the College of Dietitians at one time.
Gregory Thomas was president of the youth council when Dawson was Ontario director.
“David was colourful and hilarious,” the Victoria, B.C., resident said. “If you saw Dave lurking at the doorway of any policy sessions or constitutional debate, you knew to expect fireworks. Dave was a true original.”
Dawson is survived by his brother Grant and other family in Calgary.