Shawn Stickney

Shawn Paul Stickney, 38, of Swampscott, Ma was surrounded by love, listening to his country music and as handsome as ever when he peacefully left his body on Friday, October 12, 2012 in the MICU of The Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston.

Shawn was born on November 18, 1973. A powerful spirit from day one, Shawn brought his mischievous, fun loving energy everywhere he went. He grew up in the hills, backyards and forests of Greenwood neighborhood of Wakefield, Ma surrounded by family and a genuine and equally mischievous group of friends.

As a teenager, Shawn moved to Naples, Florida with his family. Naples suited his backwoods streak and Southern sense of gentility. Attending Barron Collier High School, his circle of friends and experiences grew. Crashing, smashing and romping through the swampy woods in or on anything with tires and a motor was something that brought utter joy to Shawn. The flat, straight, pot-hole free and secluded roadways of Florida were well traveled and experienced by him in his multitude of cars.

In 1991 Shawn returned and graduated in 1992 from Wakefield memorial High School. He spent the next three years splitting his time between Florida and Massachusetts until finally returning in late 1995. Shawn was never short of finding exciting and often reckless things to do and they often involved his buddies, girls, the woods, the beach, a basement, a garage, a road, music, and a motor.

In the spring of 1996, Shawn's path's intersected with Tina (Braid)Stickney's and the two paths effortlessly became one. Shawn grew into everything he aspired to be. He became a lover, a partner, provider and a husband in every sense of the word. He became a Daddy that encompassed every facet of his being and he loved his daughter, Sara Louise with an intensity that emanated from his very soul. Shawn and Tina were married on a perfect summer day, June 11th of 2000.


He shared his love and humor freely with his family and friends and protected them with ferocity. When Shawn loved someone, they knew it.


Shawn worked hard and played hard all of his life. He delivered newspapers as a kid, drove a tow-truck and delivered pizza's as a teen, became a drain cleaner and a finally a licensed plumber as an adult. He loved cars, buying, selling, swapping, working on and driving them. The diamonds in the rough, he saw the potential and he went for the cars he wanted. Having smashed up knuckles, permanently black under the finger nails, and an aching back were all worth the joy of bringing cars back to life. Firing it up and listening to it roar. He loved anything with a motor, dirt bikes, ATV's, jet-ski's, boats, cars, motorcycles and trucks, he loved them all and he had them all at one point or another in his life. Freedom and speed.


Shawn also lived with Cystic Fibrosis. It has never defined Shawn, but it is as much a part of him and his life as any other facet. After moving to Swampscott in November of 2008, Shawn was "listed" for a transplant. On November 27th 2008 Shawn received a double lung transplant at the Brigham and Woman's Hospital in Boston. On November 28th Shawn woke up to his second wind and he has rocked every single day since. Shawn rode the ups and downs of his health with defiance and grace, he made modifications when needed and powered through anything life threw at him. His generosity and ability to either help somebody directly or to connect them with the right people was legendary. He just always, "knew a guy".


There's a saying: "Drive it, like you stole it." That's how he lived. Enjoy the ride, don't worry about the dings and burnt rubber, the vehicle is only temporary, you're going to have to give it up eventually. So drive it like you stole it, Shawn did.


Shawn is survived by his wife, Tina (Braid) Stickney and his daughter, Sara Louise Stickney and his faithful pooch, Jake of Swampscott, Ma. His Father Gary Stickney, his step-mother Tristy Stickney of Reading, Ma. His mother, Carol Curry of Derry, NH. His brother, Scott, sister-in-law Lauri, and niece Gianna Stickney of Everett, Ma. His sister, Sarah Stickney and nephews Tyler and Shawn Stickney of Derry NH. Step-sister, Katherine Stack of Reading. Uncles and Aunts, Ken and Nan Hedquist of Saugus, Kevin and Ruth (Hedquist) Carmichael of Reading, Wayne and Linda Stickney of Florida, Brad and Barbara Stickney of Rockland, Ma. and Keith and Shelly Bedrossian of Marblehead, Ma. Cousins, Brian and Kelsey (Carmichael), Melissa and Michelle (Hedquist), Peter and Erin (Stickney) and Amanda and Laura (Stickney) . Shawn's Nana Louise, Aunt Sara and Mom-in-law, Paula DiPerri of Londonderry, NH. Brother-in-law/Accomplice Peter Braid, Amy Braid and nephew and niece Josh and Emily Bishop Braid of Wakefield. His brother-in-law, John Braid of Melrose. Best Man and friend, Mac Raiser of Naples, Florida. Shawn ran with and now leaves behind an incredible, diverse group of genuine, loving, friends. Shawn was preceded in death by his Grandfather Alwyn Stickney, Grandfather Henry Hedquist and his Uncle Carl Hedquist.

A Memorial Service and Shawnfest will be held to honor and celebrate Shawn's Life. On Friday November 2nd from 4-6 p.m. at The Community Covenant Church 33 Lake Street Peabody Ma. Please feel welcome to bring copies of any pictures and a great Shawn memory to share on our picture boards we will have.

Special thanks to CF2Chat, UNOS, Donate Life, Brigham and Women's Hospital's Lung Transplant Team, 11th and 14th floors, the MICU, the Reiki volunteers @ BWH, Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the Zakim Center for Intergrative Therapies. In lieu of flowers to honor Shawn, there has been an Education Fund set up for Shawn's daughter Sara Louise currently a junior at Swampscott High School. SLS Educational Fund c/o National Grand Bank P.0. Box 266, Marblehead Ma 01945.



Read Shawn Stickney's Obituary and Guestbook on www.mcdonaldfs.com.

Service

Community Covenant Church
33 Lake St.
Peabody , MA US 01960
Friday, November 2, 2012, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM