Len Johnson wanted everyone who knew Derek to see this wonderful obituary for him. He had a full life with many wonderful events and knew so many of our shuffleboard members. This notice came January 25, 2024 from Len Johnson.
It is with great sorrow that I advise you of the death of my older brother Derek, just
short of his 85th birthday. Derek with his wife Sharon, were long term residents here at
Holiday RV Village” For several years Derek was part of a team that put on many of the
shows here at Holiday. He and his trusty sidekick puppet Farley performed and MC’d in
front of park residents right up until they left the park a few years ago.
Derek and Sharon were also very involved with Shuffleboard and they both were
advanced “Pro” players.
Derek was born in Toronto, Ontario. It was there that Derek got involved with acting
and performing. Over the years Derek was in several movies such as Police Academy,
and acted (in minor roles) along side people like Loretta Swit, John Candy and
Christopher Plummer. He was also a lead actor in a Salvation Army motivational series
about a troubled youth, many years ago. He liked to entertain, and in his later years,
volunteered his time with Farley, performing for children at church events, and senior
citizen’s centers.
During his working 1ife, Derek was a computer guy. He worked for Honeywell
Controls, doing larger computer repairs- for equipment that could not be fixed in the
field.
Derek and Sharon retired to Shallow Lake Ontario, which is a small cottage type
community outside of Owen Sound, and spent 20+ years here at Holiday in the winters.
He was a kind and gentle man who loved people and performing, and who always
enjoyed that challenge of working with computers.
He is survived by his wife Sharon, two daughters by a previous marriage and myself.
Northern District Shuffleboard 