February 14, 1946 - February 28, 2024
In loving memory ~
It is with a broken heart to announce the passing of my beloved husband Don.
Don was born in Kimberley to parents Ernest and Nancy Derbyshire on Valentine's Day 1946. He was very young when his father moved the family to Riondel to work at the Bluebell mine. They lived in a tent until they purchased the farm which still remains in the family.
Don started grade one with his best friend, John and remained friends always with a phone call each year on birthdays until Don's passing. After finishing school, Don tried his hand at logging, mining, and as a transport driver with his older brother Clive. He then decided to take the Lineman course in Vancouver, then work for West Kootenay Power in Crawford Bay, later name changed to Fortis BC.
Don and Barbara married and raised three children together, Merl, Ronnie and Clive. Living in Riondel was Don's joy, he was very active in the community; a volunteer firefighter, with a search and rescue team, a Boy Scout leader, and served on several community boards. His greatest joy however was when he was able to purchase a trapline! He was awarded "Top Lot" for his bobcat fur one year, which he was so proud of. He enjoyed the outdoors; fishing, hunting, mountain climbing, huckleberry picking, hiking, and looking after the farm.
He was predeceased by his parents, Ernest and Nancy, his wife, Barbara and his four brothers, Reg, Clive, Chris and Larry.
Don and Diane married in 2005 and he retired from Fortis in 2008. He then endeavored to fulfill his bucket list: cruise to Alaska,(White Pass train to the Yukon), Churchill by train to the polar bears, cruise to the Caribbean (the Mayan ruins in Mexico), fly to the Maritimes (Cape Briton, Bay of Fundy (highest tides), PEI, Springhill Mine Disaster, and finally Iceland (swimming in the Blue Lagoon).
Don started declining in health, showing signs of Lewy's Body Disease and was admitted to a care home in Nelson, then COVID hit, later that year he moved to the Lethbridge area where he remained till his passing.
He is survived by his wife, Diane; children Merl, Ronnie, and Clive, step-children; Brad (Sheila), Brian (Kathy), and Jeff (Allison), 8 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, sister-in-law, Isabelle, nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life was held at the Gray Creek Hall on August 17, 2024.
A tribute for Don can be read at www.evergreenfh.ca