Mahlon McCain Dyer

With heavy hearts and great sadness, we wish to announce the passing of Mahlon Dyer, who passed peacefully at University Hospital, surrounded by the love of his family, at the age of 97. Now reunited with his beloved wife, Barbara, of 64 years. Mahlon will be remembered as the proud father of Karen, Scott, Charles, and Martha. Adored grandfather of Joshua, Melissa, Laura, Eric, Benjamin, Brianna, Liam, and great-grandfather of Adam, Hamza, and Rumi. Predeceased by parents, Murray and Evelyn Dyer, and his brother, John. His sister, Sharon, continues the Dyer legacy in Bristol, N.B.

Mahlon’s story began in the woods of Bristol, New Brunswick, where he grew up before setting out on a path that would take him far from his beginnings. He became the first Dyer in his family to graduate from university, attending the University of Toronto and graduating as a pharmacist in 1956. It was an accomplishment of which he and his family were immensely proud and the beginning of a remarkable professional life.

Mahlon later partnered with his close friend, Tony Crncich, to build their first drug store and would eventually be a founding member of Big V Pharmacies in Windsor, Ontario. Big V grew into a very successful company, but Mahlon believed that its success should be shared with the people who helped build it. Employees were given the opportunity to become owners in the company, and when Big V was sold to Shoppers Drug Mart in the 1990s, many long-time employees were rewarded for the investments they had made over the years. It was an approach to business that reflected Mahlon’s belief in people, loyalty, and sharing the rewards of a job well done.

As proud as Mahlon was of his professional accomplishments, his greatest legacy can be found in his family and in the relationships he formed throughout his long life.

He was an extraordinary grandfather who gave his grandchildren something far more lasting than possessions: time, experiences, memories, and traditions. He took his grandchildren on many trips, creating adventures and stories that will be remembered and retold for years to come. He established family traditions that became an important part of the Dyer family and that will continue through the generations.

Mahlon also had a remarkable ability to form meaningful relationships with people from all walks of life. In his later years, he developed especially close bonds with a number of the people who cared for him, relationships that often extended to their children and families. They became much more than caregivers to Mahlon, and he became much more than someone in their care.

Over the course of 97 years, Mahlon touched an extraordinary number of lives—as a husband, father, grandfather, pharmacist, entrepreneur, employer, business partner, mentor, friend, and extended member of families beyond his own.

From his beginnings in the woods of New Brunswick to the family and company he helped build, Mahlon lived a long and remarkable life. His influence will continue in the family traditions he created, in the opportunities he gave to others, in the memories of the grandchildren he adored, and in the countless people whose lives were made better for having known him.

He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all whose lives he touched.

In keeping with Mahlon’s wishes, funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Westview Funeral Home and Cremation Centre, 709 Wonderland Road North, London. Cremation has taken place and a private remembrance for his family is being held. A Celebration of Life will be held at a date to be determined. If desired, please consider making donations to https://gofund.me/0f4485769 in memory of Mahlon. Once we have set up the Trust, the funds collected through the GoFundMe will be transferred.