Derek William Bennett

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dear father, Derek William John Bennett, peacefully on November 12, 2024, in his 93rd year. He left us on what would have been his 69th wedding anniversary with our dear mother, Sylvia, who passed in July 2017.

He leaves behind 3 children, Dianna (David), Michael (Joanne), Valerie (Gregory), 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren and a younger brother Michael, in Wales.

Derek was born in Guernsey (UK) and was one of the island’s child evacuees during WWII. After being separated from his family for four years, the family reunited and resettled in Manchester. Derek joined the RAF and was stationed in Singapore for about 3 years. Derek, and his best friend Bob from the RAF, emigrated from the UK to Canada where they met the loves of their lives. Derek and Sylvia were married in 1955. They fell in love with Muskoka while on their honeymoon in Gravenhurst. A summer cottage was established in 1963 and the family never looked back. Derek’s career continued in the aeronautics industry until his retirement. When both Derek and Sylvia retired, they resided in Bracebridge, for the remainder of their days.

Dad’s life was full of adventure and we relished the stories he shared of his youth. He loved his family dearly. Dad was a builder and a fixer. We all have many repaired and original creations through his woodworking. Never did a daily paper go unread, a golf course he could not conquer, a beach he would not walk or a good glass of scotch that was not savoured.

In the last years of his life, he was fortunate for the love and companionship of Idena Hervieux who passed in June of this year. Our family is blessed to have known her.

We cannot thank enough the warm and wonderful staff of South Muskoka Memorial Hospital. Not only was Dad so well cared for, but your extension to our family was unwavering.

Please honour Derek through a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society of Muskoka – (in memory of Sylvia) or to South Muskoka Memorial Hospital.

A celebration of life will be held for Derek in the spring of 2025, in Bracebridge.