Derek entered our world on Dec 12th 1933 in Upney Essex in the middle of the Great Depression. He spent his younger years in Elephant & Castle, London along with his elder sister Pamela (who has recently predeceased him). When the 2nd World War started in 1939 the family had moved to Tulse Hill Estates, Brixton, London where his father worked as a Transport Driver. Once the Blitz began in 1940, his mother & sister were evacuated to Tiverton, Devon and were hosted at Exley House, the estate of Lord & Lady Hood. This was the highlight of his childhood and his first experience of enjoying the beautiful English countryside and nature at its finest. After 2 years, they returned to London but were evacuated once again in 1943 to avoid the Flying Bombs (V1’s) and stayed in various rental homes shared by other families. A year later they returned to London which was still being bombarded by flying bombs and rockets and many a night was spent in a bomb shelter which Derek, at age 11 found quite exciting, but terrified his mother & sister. In 1945, he started at Bec Grammar School – coincidently now called Bevan College!

He was called up into the Army in 1952 for his National Service. After 6 weeks of basic training he was posted to Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) to recruit Africans into the Rhodesian Army. He drove and maintained the army trucks. This was another highlight for Derek, because he lived in the African Bush for weeks on end, most nights sleeping in his truck. He traveled through and experienced much of unspoiled Africa before it became a “tourist” haven. Once his 2 year service was completed, he returned to London and worked as a Sales Rep selling Art Supplies and traveled throughout England, Scotland & Wales.

In 1956 he immigrated to Canada once again working in the art supplies business with the whole of Eastern Canada as his territory. He joined the Canadian Youth Hostel where he met his first wife Sandy and they were married in 1959. In 1962, he joined Sunkist Growers of California as a Field Rep in their Canadian Head Office in Toronto.

Their daughter Kimberly Elise was born in August of 1963 and she was joined by Jonathan in 1966. When Jon was a month old, Sunkist transferred Derek to Vancouver which he felt was the best move ever!! They bought a house in Delta on 112 th & 92A, which remains as the “family home” having seen 2 generations and now the third generation Eilidh(3) & London(10 months), who enjoy visiting the home where their grandparents and parents were raised.

In 1967, Derek helped form the North Delta Lions Club as a charter Member and eventually President. His job at Sunkist involved traveling throughout BC and Alberta and on occasion to California. In 1975 he joined Reckitt & Coleman and continued to serve the Food Industry as a Sales Rep.

In 1978, he and Sandy separated and he moved to New Westminster. He and Phyllis got together and moved into a rental home in New Westminster. They were joined by Kim who was then 15 years old. They married on Sept 5 th 1981. Phyllis was a Travel Consultant at BCAA and this allowed plenty of opportunities to see the world. Every continent was visited on various trips and cruises, but the really special destination was Australia where they both felt a familiarity and deep love. They had 15 visits over 28 years, mostly during our winter (their summer) and spent many treasured times with Phyllis’ extended family.

In 1981 they bought 2½ acres on Guemes Island, (near Anacortes) Washington and Derek, with the help of a neighbor, built a cabin which was a little piece of paradise and offered a peaceful break from stressful jobs. Over the next 32 years, and numerous get togethers with family & friends, the cabin became one of the most cherished aspects of their lives.

His career took many twists and turns between 1978 and 1986 with a variety of jobs but eventually he was employed as General Manager of Sales & Manufacturing in a Plastics Injection Molding company. He worked there until the business was closed down and premises sold in 2006 – and at the age of 73 was finally fully retired.