DERKIS, Jerry Joseph of Elora, Ontario, left this world peacefully with dignity and grace at 80 years of age on October 4th, 2018, in Toronto, Ontario, at his daughter’s home surrounded by his immediate family. No stranger to breaking on through to the other side he was born Geraldine Fay Derkis on September 8, 1938, in Brandon Manitoba, to John Paul Derkis and Nellie Sophie Mack, though spiritually was always a prairie man at heart. He had been a devoted mother to his daughter Patricia Ann Derkis and courageously transitioned later in his life to become without question the most loving, loyal, and the most outstanding father ever to her. A natural with all in nature, he was an authentic person who lived his life on his own terms with kindness, compassion, respect for the truth & others, and a whole lot of love and humour. No fan of drama or negativity, he made positive change in this world by being true to himself and in kind to others, and met life with fearlessness, acceptance, generosity, strength, curiosity, adventure, and heart for the greater good, and in favour of the beauty of life. Blessed he lived a long, healthy and active life throughout until he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in his final few months. He was a happy man and truly one of a kind who was dearly loved, and who will be dearly missed. He is survived by his beloved daughter Patricia Ann Derkis, his dog Sir Alexander, Aunt Elsie Mack & family, first cousins Diane Dorothea MacKenzie & Patricia Baardsnes, second cousins Katherine Anne Mathews, Craig Stewart MacKenzie & Andrew Lorne MacKenzie among many others, his dear life long friend and the Godmother of his daughter Patricia Murphy, and his many other loving and genuine family of friends near and far, and from every walk of life. Following his wishes a Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 24th, 2018, from 6:30pm to 9:30pm in the Club Room at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 229, 110 Metcalfe St., Elora, ON, because he was never a fan of the doom and gloom of anything, and would like us all to look on the bright side of life. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his honour to the Harold and Shirley Lederman Chair In Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care at the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation, Toronto, ON, 416-946-6515 or toll free at 1-866-224-6560.
