Sean William Camiel DeMuynck was born during a typical Canadian blizzard on March 6, 1986, in Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada.
At age six, Sean began to play hockey. The game became a way of life. He began playing for Strathroy Minor hockey and was soon invited to join the AAA EMHA Chiefs. It was here that he exceled in the game, becoming known as “the skater.” In his minor bantam year, he played 14 games with the Strathroy Jr. B Rockets and was drafted to the OHL Kingston Frontenacs. He was ineligible to play for the Frontenacs due to his age and ended up with their farm club, the Wellington Dukes.
It was here where he met the love of his life, Melissa. However, after a few years Sean decided that he wanted to end his junior career near home. He joined the Leamington Flyers and became their captain. He had an amazing year, scoring a point per game as a defenseman.
After his junior career, Sean was invited to play for the University of Western Ontario Mustangs and received a BA in criminology and sociology. His plan was to join the fire department and potentially work his way toward being a forensic investigator.
Sean began to manage a company near Windsor, Ontario, with the fire department still in the plan. He became an assistant coach with the Belle River Canadiens Jr. C team. During this time, Sean needed to have surgery on his nose, which had been broken five times playing hockey. He came home to his father and stepmother’s house to recover, and it was then that he met again with Melissa.
The Windsor Spitfires of the CHL asked Sean if he was interested in becoming a coach. He jumped at the chance, and they won the highest award, the Memorial Cup, in 2017.
Sean and Melissa were married on March 1, 2019. Melissa was offered a fellowship with the University of Pennsylvania, and off they went to their new adventure. Shortly after moving, Sean joined the Penn Wynne Overbrook Fire Company Station 21. Here he joined a new team, a new family. He won many awards in his two-year tenure, including top student in the academy and “Top Runner.”
After two years, Melissa’s fellowship ended. They were set to return to Canada on July 5, 2021. In the late hours of July 4, Sean answered a call. He was found unresponsive on the third floor of a structure fire, and just after midnight on the day that they were set to return to Canada, Sean left us all.
Sean DeMuynck is survived by his wife, Melissa; father, Mark, and stepmother, Sue; mother, Barbara, and stepfather, Paul; siblings, Trish, Cassandra, Carly, Christopher, and Samantha; his special niece, Hannah; and many more.
What an incredible advocate at the fire house and in our lives as a friend, a fellow firefighter, and part of our family. Sean you showed so much skill during your time at PW. It was an honor taking more classes with you at the academy. From our talks about training, to joking around, to our heart to hearts, you were an older brother figure who would never let me slip up and would make sure I was prepared. Even though I had been a member for many years prior Sean came in and fit a perfect puzzle to make our family that much better. He always came off as a 20 year vet and would just make an instant impact just being at the station. I remember the record of 7 months without a missed call. A record and devotion I have never seen before. Thank you for all you did for me but for our community. You kept it safe and you gave your time and devotion. Nothing more a firefighter can do better you showed us the ultimate sacrifice and it will never be forgotten brother .
– Aaron AbramsSee you on the other side. To end this I want to add a Bible verse that really makes me think of your devotion to being a servant to others . Isaiah 6:8 (then I heard the lord asking, “whom should I send as a messenger to this people ? Who will go for us?” I said, “here I am, send me. “
Love you, miss you Sean. I know God brought you as a walking testimony to all of our lives.
Aaron. FF station21