Derek Spencer

(Donated to Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Centre)

Dear Anne, sending you so much love at this sad time. We all have such very special memories of our time with you all in Canada. I remember how kind and thoughtful Derek was with young Aaron, and the coins he gave him for his collection. They corresponded a little after that and I was struck then by his kindness and sensitivity. You are in our thoughts and our hearts. With much love, Sarah, Oliver, Rose, Aaron and John xxxx

It is with great sadness to here that Dereck has passed. All your good memories will help at this sad time and there will be lots of them.Allways in my thoughts .To all the family. Carol(Scotland)

We are so very sorry for your loss. I will always remember Derek as that BIG Personality that light up the room and made everyone smile. I am glad we had the honor of knowing him and he will be missed. Love Always Amy, Joe, Lucy and Molly xoxoxoxoxo

Derek was a very special friend both at work and in retirement. We met at GM Diesel and realized we had a lot in common; a British background, the love of Jazz, Art, and a great interest in aircraft photography . I will miss you dear friend and the fun we had! Deepest condolences to Anne and the whole family. Dave Green.

My Dear Friend, Anne! So sorry to learn that Derek passed away and wish to convey our deepest heartfelt sympathy to you in this time of such deep sorrow. Cherish the wonderful memories you shared. Your friends, always Shirley and Gerry Kruse Duncan, BC

To all who left your loving comments about your special memories of my dad. He was my dad so I had unconditional love for him. However, I do feel such joy that he touched so many people in his life time in so many ways through his love of art, his passion for jazz and even his lust for nature and life itself. Not a day went by that he was ever bored, he always had a pencil in his had whether it was writing a book, drawing or sketching with his grandkids or just diligently organizing his many collections he had. May we all have half the great things in life he shared. We will be truly blessed. Dad you will forever have a place in my heart and you will never be forgotten. I love you and miss you forever. Your little Lala♥

(Donated to Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Centre)

(Donated to Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Centre)

(Donated to Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Centre)

(Donated to The Lung Association)

It is with great sadness I write this,Derek was not your run of the mill chap.He was special....I have an endearing memory of Derek and Dalton,at Derek and Anne's wedding, Father and son danced together for easily ten to fifteen minutes, it was both private and public and very entertaining a display of love and affection. That was Derek, his own man. His life was full of life,be it art, music, birdwatching,collecting things and enjoying his family. I have friends who worked with Derek and they told me he was a very competent welder... he knew his craft. I can recall his stories of his adventures in the British army doing his compulsory national service. They were hilarious,having served myself, they were made much more fun to me. He was a man of so many talents,he filled his day very easily, he had a tough ending, no one should have that experience,but he smiled often. He will be missed.................goodbye Derek Spencer......RIP.

(Donated to Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Centre)

(Donated to Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Centre)

(Donated to The Lung Association)

(Donated to The Lung Association)

(Donated to Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Centre)

(Donated to Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Centre)

(Donated to Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Centre)

(Donated to Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Centre)

(Donated to Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Centre)

(Donated to Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Centre)

Condolences Deb to you and your family. Our thoughts are with you.

Dalton, Marcia, Roland, Sasha and family. So sorry to hearing about Dalton's Dad. Cherish all those precious memories and speak of him often.

Lori & Dalton And Familie's, dad was a great and fun person to you and all th family and we had a lot of great times and good memories. He had all his hobbies which he involve us all in, his love of nature and bird watching, Chricket, Jazz and the Muscians he met, Steam Trains and the many times he spent with his brother Ken at stations watching trains and taking number and with his interest in art he endended up painting trains, birds, Jazz muscians and many other subjects. You have had a grest teacher and you have a lot of great memoriies. My love always Mum.

As a volunteer at the Alzheimer Society Centre it was my privilege to get to know Derek. I especially enjoyed the Artful Minds sessions as Derek produced the most amazing pieces of art! But, more than that he encouraged other clients and took an interest in everyone. Derek knew I really enjoyed his drawings and would bring in photos of his work to show me. I used to tease him about drawing a penguin for me but he said he didn’t know how. When I saw him very recently he brought to me a wonderful pencil drawing of a penguin and signed it “to dear Faye”. I will always treasure it and will deeply miss seeing him at the centre.

How can a grown man cry? Easy, just spend a lot of time with BIG D. When I use the word quirky it is with a capital Q ,when we took the big bird down to Florida, I said to Derek , for your birthday I'm taking you out to the very best steak house in Fort Myers , the steaks were 4 inches thick, the waiter asked Derek what he wanted and he said bloody ell I will have the lamb. so when I'm out birding and looking through my binoculars and see a big bald eagle give a tip of his wing I know it will be BIG D, we always talked about this time and now your free to breathe, so go through those big fluffy white clouds that you painted so well , so SOAR HIGH GOV .

Deeply saddened to hear of an old neighbour's passing. We remember Derek's avid interest in birdwatching,which resulted in our taking it up ourselves, now for over fifty years, also remember his beautiful drawings. We knew him when Lori was just a baby. Life is a special gift and he will be missed. Our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. Trevor & Myrle Hamilton

The joy of living life through nature’s wonders was amazing and wonderful to see. Sitting quietly and silently amongst his beloved outdoors with the hope of capturing that moment in time, both in film and paint, and to share that moment with others. May you forever walk with camera and paintbrush in hand with the birds singing merrily about you through your beloved woods and meadows. Rest in peace Derek.

Dalton, Marcia, Roland & Sasha. Our hearts are breaking for you with the loss of a dear, dear father & grandfather. He was such a friendly quirky guy. We feel blessed to have known him - thanks Dalton. The memories he has left behind for you & Marcia & especially Roland & Sasha will help you all get through this difficult time. Much love to you all.....Mom & Dad

We are thinking about Anne and the rest of Derek's family at this time. Please accept our deepest sympathy for your loss.

Maria and I are truly sorry for your loss Anne. Derek was such a talented man in many ways. His love of Britain and especially its music was shared with Maria. She enjoyed every musical session they had together both physically and on the telephone from Oakville. May Derek rest in peace now after his long painful ordeal. May God take care of you too Annie and above all be kind to yourself now. You took such good care of him Anne, he was blessed to have you by his side. We love you and pray for you at this difficult time, Anna and Maria xxx

I remember laughing so hard at his stories that I cried and my stomach ached for days. I will always remember his wonderful art work and photography especially the birds. I am so proud to own two of his pieces. And he inspired me with his love of Jazz. What great fun we had "going to Jazz". I will never forget the look on his face the last time I stayed with Anne and Derek in the summer and his asked me when I was thinking of going home and I said February! His great spirit will live on in all his passions. He certainly loved life and lived it to the fullest. Anne and all his family and friends are so lucky to have shared in his joy for living. Now he can take all the time he wants at his favourite place with all the birds and wildlife in the Komoka gravel pits.

Condolences to Anne and family. Sorry for your loss of Big D. He will always be remembered in his photography.

Anne, I am so sorry for the loss and sadness that you and your family are feeling. Derek had many interests and his wonderful talent for painting touched countless lives. His paintings are his legacy and he will be remembered and his loss shared by many.

Dalton, Marcia and family...our thoughts are with you at this time. The loss of a parent is difficult, may you always remember the beauty he brought to your life and bring it forward.

So deeply sorry for your loss Lori, we are thinking of you and your family and will be praying for you all.

Lori, Dalton and families; our sincere condolences go out to you. As you know your father was a very special man and will be sorely missed by many. He was so proud of you. God bless you at this very difficult time. He will remain in your hearts forever, and ours too.

Derek was a good man & a tremendously talented painter. My best & favourite memory of hm was when he would cram 4 or 5 of us plus our hockey sticks & skates into his little Ford Pinto & take us to the pond behind the Dairy Dell to play hockey. I still miss that. RIP Derek.

My memories of Derek are that of a kind, quirky man with great artistic talent. My favorite memory was hearing how he ended up cutting the grass with scissors since the lawn mower wasn't working. He will be truly missed. Our thoughts go out to you everyone who his life has touched.

Rest in peace Derek. Thank you for bringing your joy of life to all that knew you. I will miss hearing your great stories of trains and watching planes. I would never tire of listening to you talk with such passion of people and places that touched your heart. What a raw talent and vision for so many things. Thank you for your inspiration. It is obvious why Auntie Anne fell in love with you. My heart and prayers go out to all your family and loved ones. I love you, Cheers big D

We are so sorry for your loss Anne, Lori and Dalton, and for the loss of my long-time friend whom I first met on the day he first arrived from England back in the early 1960's. From that time on we became close friends enjoying our common love for jazz, art and of course the usual pint or two of ale. You will be surely missed my old friend, and I will forever treasure our memories as well as that incredible portrait of one of our all time favourite jazz musicians, Zoot Sims, that you painted for me in 1988. Rest in peace Derek, and enjoy the music.

We are saddened to hear of Derek's passing. Our thoughts are with all his extended family.