JOHN WILLIAM DERRICK

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JOHN WILLIAM DERRICK
October 9, 1950 - January 17, 2023

John was predeceased by his son Anthony, his parents and his parents-in-law. He leaves to mourn his wife Mary-Anne; children, Janel and Ross; grandchildren, Kadeem and Audrey; and brother Dennis.

John lived his dash well.

John had the best laugh. Every day he laughed at almost everything, including himself. If someone did something stupid, that made his day!
John was a fantastic human and his love for his family was outstanding. He loved to surprise his children with unexpected joy. Like allowing them to dangerously ride on the trunk of his car. Giggling at the opportunity to go about 10 kilometres an hour, but having hours of fun. This practice I only found out after John started his journey to heaven.
Borrowing an antique Rolls-Royce and dressing up as a chauffeur to drive Janel to her Grade Nine graduation. Taking Ross out of school so they could go fishing, a sport John disliked but Ross loved so he did his part. Anthony and Ross enjoyed trips to water parks during weekdays if it was a hot sunny day. John would explain to the teachers something came up and we would not be in class this afternoon. He liked to travel. Purchasing an old camper and a van and touring Manitoba's country fairs.
Travelling to North and South Dakota was fun. We enjoyed our experience visiting the play re-enactment of Little Bighorn. We had brought our bikes and had a rough time of getting up the hill to see the play. The real memory was Ross and Anthony on their bikes going down the hill with feet off the brakes and laughing as both John and I were yelling at them to slow down, because a highway was at the bottom of the hill. They stopped and we made it back safely to our camp stop.
The last big family trip was to Disneyland where he found a Grumpy hat that became his favourite wardrobe piece! That trip was so much fun, we took Dennis his brother, and a good time was had by all.
John was a very gentle soul and when his children made a decision to make a change in their lives, he supported them. Behind closed doors he missed them and had no problems showing his emotions. These were witnessed as I watched his pain and pride as he observed his children grow and become the independent adults they are.
He worked for the Manitoba Liquor Control Commission three months shy of thirty years. He was well liked by his licensees for his fair understanding of the rules. He was willing to explain the law to ensure they were able to have a profitable and successful business.
He was a fantastic volunteer for the 67th troop of the Boys Scouts, helping run the Christmas tree lot for over ten years. Just this past Christmas as we drove by the lot, he reminded me of the year he made the supports for the trees with much help from the troop and was so glad they were still in use.
We loved to travel, our first trip as a couple; to the Dominion Republic and many more places, our last trip an Alaskan cruise. Then we went to the places Ross chose to drop himself into; Lake Louise, Stratford, Ireland, and of course, Kelowna. Janel was not left out; we travelled to Vancouver a few times to checkout her dwellings. After the trip to Jasper to celebrate Kadeem's 10th birthday, the family all concluded that my love of train travel is nuts!!
John has asked that there not be a formal funeral but that prayers be said at his interment later on this year.
I was truly blessed to have been loved deeply by John, I will miss how much he took care of me. For 44 plus years whenever I needed him he was there.

Rest in peace my dear husband
you are going to be greatly missed!
LECLAIRE BROTHERS
475 Provencher Blvd.
in care of arrangements, 204-775-2220

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 21, 2023