Derek passed away in the early hours of Nov. 27, 2024, at Victoria Hospice, from pancreatic cancer. He was in his 75th year.
Derek was born in West Ham, England and came to Canada with his family at age 7. Raised in Haney, BC, he joined the Army of the Canadian Armed Forces in 1968, where he served his whole career as a medic and physician assistant, achieving the rank of Warrant Officer. Derek served in many postings across Canada, as well as in Germany and Cyprus. Following his retirement, he joined the Corps of Commissionaires where he continued to work at CFB Esquimalt.
Derek is survived by his wife, Joan Locker, daughter Daniel Norman, in Petawawa, ON, son Kelsy Norman, in Calgary AB, 5 grandchildren, and sister Linda Norman in Kelowna BC. Predeceased by parents James and Iris Norman, and step-father Ross Heath.
A Memorial Service for Derek will be held Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. in Sequoia Gardens at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Deborah March
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Dawn Smith Dear Joan
We met you at the Chemainus Theatre with Derek. We are all so shocked and saddened over his death as we loved him like family.
Dawn Smith and family
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Bonnie Helm-Northover I am so very sorry to hear that Derek has passed and send my warmest thoughts and considerations to All – and personally to Joan – at this sad time. Derek was such a cheerful and pleasant personality and he always made those he was with feel that he was happy to be in their presence. He was a lovely person.
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Chantelle C Joanie!! My deepest condolences. I will always cherish the memories that Derek and I shared. Connected by not only the CAF uniforms but also as a fellow Commissionaire too. Derek was more like family to me than my own blood. He’s been there through so many milestones in my life. I am truly gutted to hear of this news. I love you xox Always
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Caroline Juan Hi Joan:
My heart felt condolences to you and the family. Derek was a good man. We are going to miss him a lot.Caroline
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Pamela Miller Dear Joan,
My heart and thoughts are with you Joan.
With deep sympathy.
Pam Miller
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Mary Emerson My deepest condolences Joan. Thinking of you at this sad time.
Mary Emerson
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Joan & Gaëtan Lamy We were deeply saddened to hear of Derek’s passing.
Please accept our heartfelt condolences, Joan, to you and the entire family during this difficult time.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and we stand with you in spirit.Claudine’s parents
Sherbrooke, Québec
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Jean Currier Dear Joan and Derek’s family. I am so glad you and Derek were here for Christmas in 2023. It truly was a special time together. Thanksgiving this year too was a time to remember together. It is so sad Derek could not live longer. He was a real presence in any gathering and so loved to converse and laugh. Many friends and family in Ontario send their condolences and appreciated knowing Derek for this short time. A sad and difficult time of loss for you and all. Love and Hugs Jean
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Michelle Gerwing Derek was a wonderful man, serious when he needed to be and fun the rest of the time. His sense of humour was fantastic and he loved to laugh! I so enjoyed working with him, but hanging out with him was a treat. I did a bike trip with him in Germany. Though I would not drive his speed on the autobahn, he would wait a few rest stops up the road for me. That’s just the kind of guy he was. I will sincerely miss meeting him for coffee! To Joan, Kelsy and the rest of the family, my sincere condolences.
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Geraldine Clark Dear Joan and family,
Being a cousin in the UK we didn’t see much of each other after his move to Canada but always kept up with Derek’s and Linda’s news.
I am so sad for your loss Joan and send you our condolences and love.
By all of the wonderful thoughts other people have shared here just confirms what a lovely man Derek was.
RIP xxx
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Mark Breslauer We are deeply saddened about the loss of our valued Team Member Derek. Our sympathies to the Norman family and to all those whose lives he touched.
Commissionaires – Victoria, the Islands and Yukon division
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Marion Draper I’m am so deeply saddened to hear of Derek’s passing. He was truly a kind and caring soul, whose presence made the workplace feel like a second home. He always greeted me by name and with a smile, and would always laugh at my jokes, no matter how bad they were. He made everyone feel valued and appreciated. Derek’s memory will live on in the hearts of all that had the privilege of knowing him.
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
With heartfelt sympathies,
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Charna Olson My deepest condolences to Derek’s family, I share your sorrow.
Derek was a commissionaire at MARPACHQ where I worked for many years.
Derek was a kind & thoughtful person, always taking the time to see how I was doing & it truly brightened my day.
We talked often about our common interest in motorcycles & sent many pictures of our bikes & road trips back & forth which I thoroughly enjoyed.
More recently when my husband passed away unexpectedly, Derek reached out with a lovely comforting message that warmed my heart & gave me strength during a very difficult time.
I will miss you Derek, thank you for your wonderful friendship. RIP
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Angela Butt Derek, you will always be in my heart. We were born cousins, but truly found each other later in life. Our time this year was so very special with you and Joan. Love you both very much. You were so loved and will be dearly missed. Sending love and condolences to Joan, Kelsey, Dan’iel and Linda xxxxxxxx
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Steve Jorgensen Joan and family, my sincerest condolences. Derek was a great friend who will be dearly missed. I always enjoyed sharing stories and laughs with him. Rest in peace my friend.
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George “Yorgie” Galea My heartfelt sympathies for his family, friends and comrades. R.I.P. Jumper, Fair Winds And Soft Landings.
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Helen Martin Joan, Daniel, Kelsey and families
May the many memories you have bring you all comfort as you grieve.
Derek was a great friend and mentor. He was my first boss at Stad, as a newly minted Private I looked to him for my military guidance. Our paths crossed many times over the years. I had a great time being part of his pit crew in Haliburton, sharing laughs at PA conferences, and many meaningful conversations about life. He always loved to share stories about his children and how proud he was of them.
Rest in peace my friend.
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Paul Kallaghan Derek and I served, dispatched parachutists and deployed to Cyprus together, I was privileged to call him friend! My sincere condolences to his family and friends for our loss of this gentle yet fun bearded guy with the huge motorcycle. RIP Derek, the world is a lesser place without you. FWSL
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Mike Walsh My condolences to the family. Derek instructed me on my Paylevel 3 course, Always friendly helpful and a barrel of laughs. May he R.I.P
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Daniel Maguire My condolences to the family and friends of Derek Norman.
I knew Derek through his sister Linda. We shared many fun times together with Derek and Joan at family events and special occasions.Derek and I were both Medics and loved motorcycles.
The four of us used to enjoy adventures around British Columbia. Derek was a great guy and will truly be missed.
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Volker Kock Our deepest condolences to Joan and the family. Derrick was an amazing human his laugh in adversity had a calming affect. I will never forget our day in the Airborne Regt and I am happy that when I was a young trooper getting in trouble on my course in Borden I felt comfort in knowing the guy getting in trouble with me was Derrick. His kindness , humour and laugh will be missed. Rest well Jumper.
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Janet Lawrence My deepest sympathy to Joan, family and friends. I had the honour to work with Derek at the Medical School in Borden. We had some great laughs together and he was such a talented instructor and Physicians Assistant. RIP Derek, you will be missed by many. Gone but never forgotten.
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Trevor Stone My deepest condolences. It was a privilege to have served with Derek and to be his friend. Derek, you will be missed and remembered.
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Claudine To Joan, Daniel, and Kelcey,
I am sending you my deepest condolences from the bottom of my heart. Derek will truly be missed. I already miss him so much and hope he knew how much he meant to me.
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
With love and sympathy,
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Dave Huber My sincerest condolences to Joan and all family and friends affected by this loss. I cannot adequately express my feelings of loss at Derek’s passing. I’ve known Derek since 83’ when he instructed my first medical course in Borden, we developed a friendship that has remained since then. I’ve had the pleasure of bumping into Derek a few times during our careers. We shared common interests, canoeing, camping, a shared fellowship, plus a little range work when time allowed.
He often spoke of his son and grandson, he told me how he really enjoyed his trip to San Francisco with his son to catch a “Grateful Dead” concert.
Speaking for myself, I now have a big hole in my heart. Derek my friend, fair winds, and soft landings….
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Larry Maloney My Condolence to his family. I served with Derek, he was a great guy and a good medic.
Kind regards to family and friends.
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Darrell Chiasson Derek will be missed. One of my early mentors and we served together in the Canadian Airborne Regiment. May he rest in peace. Condolences to his family. Fair winds and soft landings brother.
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Mitch MacLeod AB Svc Cdo 1986-88 My deepest sympathy at this time of loss. Blue skies, fair winds and soft landings jumper.
Dear Joan and family, I was so sad to read of Derek’s passing. We worked together in Halifax so many years ago. We lost touch over the years, we lived on different coasts, but I was so happy to reconnect last year, in Victoria. Fair winds and soft landings, my dear old friend.