Obituary of Derek Locke Davidson

Born April 28, 1952; died February 17 in Toronto after a brave and dignified struggle with cancer.

Dearly loved brother of Ian (Anna) and Leigh. Derek will be acutely missed by his partner and soulmate, Manuela Dibella. Their time together was much too short but incredibly rich. Predeceased by his parents, Audrey and Mel, and sister Pat Scott. Derek leaves many loving and bereaved cousins, especially Robin Rhodes and Shelley Lambe.

Derek grew up in Chatham and Montreal. Happiest memories included summers with extended family at a family cottage on Lake Simcoe, annual fishing vacations with Ian and their father on Georgian Bay, and summer camps in Ontario and Quebec. Derek was a skilled outdoorsman. He worked for 3 summers as a firefighter for Lands & Forests in northern Ontario, and never lost his passions for fishing, canoeing, and golf. Another enduring passion was popular music, particularly jazz.

Derek graduated from North Toronto Collegiate and Western University (B.A. 1975). His varied and interesting career started with 5 years in Edmonton as a high school teacher and realtor, followed by Human Resource positions in Toronto at CIBC and Levi’s. Most of his career was spent at Boehringer Ingelheim in Burlington where he worked first in HR, then product management and sales. Through all his jobs, the common threads were Derek’s teaching and people skills. After retirement, he taught part-time at a business college, volunteered at Jazz FM and as a mentor to recent survivors of heart surgery, attended as many live music performances as he could, and enjoyed every moment spent with his beloved Manuela.

A gregarious, fun-loving person, Derek maintained friendships from everywhere he lived and worked. Former colleagues from Boehringer were especially caring supports through his last, very difficult year.

Most of all, anyone who ever met Derek will miss his lightning-quick wit. As soon as he learned to talk, he made others laugh. Many friendships were grounded in his ability to find humor in almost any situation. That, and his graciousness, were gifts to everyone around him including medical staff.

Thanks to Derek’s home-care team who accompanied him capably and reassuringly on a rough, frightening journey. His Spectrum PSW and nurse, Emi and Tatiana, are wonderfully kind people. The skill and caring of Dr. Ciara Whelan and other doctors at the Temmy Latner Centre allowed Derek to maintain treasured privacy and independence almost until the end. Thanks also to Dr. Sacher’s pulmonary oncology team at Princess Margaret Hospital, Dr. Bill Mah at Mount Sinai, and the palliative team at Bridgepoint. Our family has much to be grateful for.

"Live every moment, laugh every day, love beyond words".

A service will be held at Humphrey Funeral Home, 1403 Bayview Ave. in Toronto, on Wednesday February 27 at 11am. A reception will follow, also at Humphrey’s. Everyone is welcome.

If desired, donations can be made to Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care, 60 Murray Street, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON M5T 3L9