DR. DEREK S. BARRIT

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DR. DEREK S. BARRIT 1932 - 2005 Derek, was born in Hull, Yorkshire, England to Jeffery and Gladys Barrit. He grew up through the Second World War and was evacuated as a young boy to live with his uncles in rural Yorkshire. His great love of his home county, formed then, persisted until the end. He graduated from Hymers College Public School and after a brief stint at Leeds University moved to the University of Aberdeen, Marschall College where he studied medicine and met his wife of 45 years Catherine Wilma Geddes Wood. His eldest son Graeme Geddes was born before Derek graduated in 1957 and his youngest son Hamish William was born just months before he and Wilma moved to Canada in 1961. He worked briefly with his brother-in-law Dr. Sandy Wood in Cold Lake, Alberta before moving to his favourite home Goodsoil, Saskatchewan in 1963. He and Wilma were part of the fabric of the community of Goodsoil until they moved to Winnipeg in 1973 to be with their boys who were at SJR. Wilma and Derek's wanderlust began with their first worldwide trips to Australia and Europe in 1975-76. Derek practiced medicine in Kildonan at the Concordia Hospital until his semi-retirement in 1987. At that time he and Wilma began their second careers as world travellers and ESL teachers. With their backpacks and a sense of adventure they covered the globe until 2000 when Wilma fell ill, passing away in 2001. Derek, never one to let the grass grow remarried Audrey Gibson and though through difficult times they enjoyed one another's company to the end. Derek leaves his sister June, his sons, their wives and children to carry on his memory. Derek will be missed by many, in particular his nieces and nephews and their families. Derek's ashes will be interred beside Wilma in the Goodsoil Cemetery. The family would like to thank all the staff at Riverview 3 East. Special thanks to Lorraine a true and dear friend and thank you Bev for being there. A memorial service was held on Friday, September 16 at 4:00 p.m. in Thomson In the Park Funeral Home, 1291 McGillivray Blvd. In lieu of flowers please make a contribution to the Canadian Cancer Society - Manitoba Branch, Derek would like that (if you remember to get a tax receipt). THOMSON IN THE PARK Funeral Home and Cemetery 1291 McGillivray Blvd. - 925-1120 (between Pembina and Waverley)

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Sep 16, 2005