Libbey, Dale Arnold

April 19, 1949 – July 28th, 2025 at his home in Sudbury, ON
 
It is with deep sorrow and love that we announce the passing of Dale Arnold Libbey, at the age of 76, on July 28th, 2025. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family. Dale was born on April 19, 1949, in South Porcupine to the late Arnold and Minerva (Finan) Libbey. He was a devoted son, a loving husband, a proud father, and a cherished grandfather, loving brother and brother-in-law, whose legacy of love, kindness, and work ethic will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew him.
 
Dale’s true passion was his family. On July 4, 1970, he married the love of his life, Marjorie (King) Libbey, and together they built a family full of love and laughter.

Dale was incredibly proud of his three children: Tammy Aspinall (David), Troy Libbey (pre-deceased), and Shannon Guillemette (Luc). His pride and joy also included his six grandchildren: Carissa (Sam), Codey (Vania), Caitlin (Jamie), Mandy, Mackenzie, and Michael. He was a proud older brother of Diane (John) Deacon, brother-in-law to Mary Gauthier (Paul pre-deceased), Allan King (Kimberly), Wayne King (Heather), Michael and uncle to many nieces and nephews. Dale was a rock to his wife, children, grandchildren, and family, always offering sound advice and guiding them with wisdom that came from his years of experience. He was especially remembered for often chatting with his girls weekly, sharing stories, and offering advice about life and work.
 
Dale was a curious and hard-working individual from a young age. His life was marked by a strong work ethic, deep dedication to his family, and a love of learning. He attended Cambrian College, where he excelled in courses in electronics, drafting, machine shop, woodworking, and, especially, math and science. His first job was selling Watkins products for his father, a venture that helped him pay off his first car—a 1964 Dodge Polara Convertible. He went on to gain invaluable experience working summers with Gordon Emmerson, building homes, which sparked his love for carpentry. After College he worked for VIP Garland as a Car Jockey and then Lands and Forests Department, where he fought fires and did fire patrol from planes and helicopters. But his longest career and most loved was with Bell Canada. He started with Bell in 1969, and after many years of hard work and dedication, he retired in 2004 as a Field Manager. Dale loved his job and found great satisfaction in each of his roles, from phone installations and repairs to his leadership at Bell. Dale thrived in every role, his passion for his work shining through.
 
Beyond his work, Dale found joy in the simpler moments. He was an avid carpenter, completing over 90 projects with his son, Troy, including building decks, saunas, garages, house extensions, and many family furniture heirlooms that the family still use and treasure today. This shared love for carpentry created lasting memories and allowed them to bond in a way that few fathers and sons get the chance to. His love of craftsmanship extended to his most recent project of helping his daughter, Shannon, with home renovations, offering guidance in everything from electrical work to design.
 
Dale also deeply valued time spent with friends, especially during his weekly coffee outings with his best friend, Mike Denommee, and former Bell colleagues. These gatherings were a highlight of his week and gave him a chance to connect, share stories, and enjoy the company of those he cared about. 

Dale also treasured time with his cousin, Ken Finan, whom he considered more like a brother. Together, they made many lasting memories during family trips. He often spoke fondly of time spent with his sister, Diane, and their family suppers and gatherings; moments he held dear. Dale also shared a close bond with his in-laws, speaking of them as if they were his own brothers and sisters—always supportive, always present. He was, in every way, a man who made people feel like family.
 
His passion for family was evident in everything he did—from scenic drives in his beloved Volkswagen Beetle Convertible with Marjorie, to cherished camping trips with family and friends. Evenings around the campfire were filled with laughter, music, and joy. Dale played his guitar, Troy played the violin, and Tammy played the keyboard—creating a musical tradition that was less about performance and more about connection. This love of music continues in his grandchildren, who carry that legacy forward.
 
Dale’s integrity, humour, and dedication to family were central to who he was. He was a model of hard work, respect, and perseverance. He was known for being honest, strong, and always there when you needed him. Whether it was offering a listening ear, giving a piece of advice, or just being present, Dale made everyone feel valued. His family considers him their hero—the person they could always count on and the one who showed them, by example, what it meant to work hard and live with kindness. His legacy of love, work ethic, and devotion to family will continue to inspire all who knew him.

We would like to thank the compassionate staff at Health Sciences North for their years of dialysis care for Dale. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, or Diabetes Canada, or the Canadian Cancer Society.
 
We will all miss him so much.