In the early 1960s, Dickinson, a long-time chain smoker, began to experience stomach pain. He entered the Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto in July 1961 and was diagnosed with stomach cancer. While in the hospital, he was visited by Isadore Sharp. Following the visit, Dickinson produced his last design, the Inn on the Park, which he gave to Sharp several days later. That September Dickinson transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montréal. On 15 October 1961, he died at his home in Montréal, leaving behind his wife and two sons.