It is with great sadness and sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of Shawn Michael Kernaghan after battling a year long illness. He passed away at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto on Friday February 20, 2026.

Shawn Micheal was 61 at the time of his passing.

He was predeceased by his mother Margaret Kernaghan.

He is survived by his father William Kernaghan: His brother Patrick (Angie); niece and nephew Kaitlyn and Brendan Kernaghan.

Shawn Micheal graduated from the University of Alberta Political Science Program in 1987.

Shawn Michael was always willing to help people and this was evident when he switched careers and studied Psychology. He later became a Social Worker at The Mary Center in Toronto were he worked for 25 years.

He had a keen interest in learning Gaelic as well as learning conversational French.

He was an avid reader and an active participant in the Star Wars gaming network.

Shawn Micheal enjoyed cheering and watching the Toronto Blue Jays, Raptors, Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators.

Shawn Michael will be dearly missed by family and the friends he met at the U of A and working at the Mary Center.

We would like thank the doctors and nurses at St. Michael’s Hospital for the care and kindness they provided to Shawn Micheal during his illness.

A memorial service will be held later this year in Chatham, Ontario.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Shawn Michael’s name to the Canadian Cerebal Palsy Association, Canadian Kidney Association, or the Canadian Crohn’s and Collitis Foundation.