It is wi
th heavy hearts we announce the passing of Derek Roy Rolt, March 05, 2022. He was born on April 10, 1929 in Edmonton, North London, England. He is predeceased by his parents George and Lena, his brother Peter, and his loving wife Josie (April 1972). Derek is survived by his devoted daughter Gina (Yellowknife, NT), his son Peter, granddaughter Nicole (Lincoln), grandson Erik (Solange), great grandson Zackary, and great great granddaughter Infinity (Ontario).
Upon completion of his education during World War II, Derek pursued a seven-year indenture apprenticeship in the jewellry trade in Hatton Garden, London ECI. Qualifying as a diamond mounter accepted in the trade by The London Goldsmiths Hall, as a Journeyman. Upon completion of his apprenticeship, he was drafted into National Service during the Korean War in 1950. He served with pride and enthusiasm in the Royal Airforce Regiment (RAF) as Gunner/Instructor/Small Arms with the rank of Corporal. He trained at RAF Hereford, Warwickshire and the RAF Regimental Depot in Catterick, Yorkshire, and was instructor at RAF Hednesford, Staffordshire until his honorable release from the service in 1952.
Shortly after, Derek immigrated to Canada, arriving at Pier 21 Halifax, Nova Scotia, January 21, 1954 on the Cunard liner “RMS SAMARIA”. Shortly thereafter he settled in Maple, Ontario and then Brampton, Ontario, where he was employed for almost 40 years at Toronto International Airfield (Malton) which is associated with Imperial Oil Ltd and predominantly Field Aviation East Ltd (ESSO). On retirement in June 1993, he moved with his partner to Victoria, B.C., where he resided in the Fairfield area. He was privileged to serve with the Corps of Commissionaires, attached to The Canadian Coast Guard Base at 25 Huron Street, where he had many good friends and comrades.
Derek will be remembered by his family and his extended family as a happy, energetic person, full of the vitality of life, a past British Best Allrounder in cycling with his love of bicycles, boundless love and empathy for all animals, his dedication and loyalty to his work and his everyday humour amongst his friends and loved ones.
He will be sadly missed by his own family, the Avey and Horsman families. He was a devoted dad, granddad, great granddad, great great granddad, friend and soul mate to Margaret for over 45 years.
Derek requested no service be held, and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Victoria Humane society or the Veterans Memorial Lodge in Victoria.
Family motto “Seen by not seem”. His guidance remains.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
http://www.mccallgardens.com
16 Responses
Thinking of you at this sad time, Georgina and all the Rolts. I’ve followed a bit of Mr. Rolt’s path these past few years, through what Georgina has shared. A wonderful fellow he was! He will be missed. But I know he’s left a treasure-trove of happy memories, to be shared and enjoyed into the future.
My condolences.
John St. Louis
Our condolences on your loss of a very kind genuinely caring person ! You are in our thoughts ❤️❤️Bill and Mar
I didn’t have the pleasure of meeting your Dad, Gine, but caught a glimpse of him helping you put together a scrapbook for his birthday. Hold on tight to all the wonderful memories you have of your times together and know he will always be with you! Hugs Nurse Betty!!
My condolences to Gina & all the family members of Derek. He and Margaret were an integral part of our management team at Viscount Manor.. Derek usually called me on April 10, we shared the same birthday. Occasionally I would drop in to his house on our birthdays and we would enjoy reminiscing about my parents and Viscount Manor. Truly a great & kind person.
Sending condolences to you Gina and your extended family. I never met Dad but feel like I knew him a little through you. You were all blessed to have him for so many years. A good life lived.
Dear Georgina , Sending sincere condolences to you and your family . May you look to the night skies and find that special star that glows particularly bright to your eyes and know he is there for you .
I first met Derek (Dad) when he visited his daughter Gina in Hay River. I was nervous as hell but he seemed so reassuring as we painted the fence outside. He did not think painting it inside was a good idea, and not as quick. I agreed and we painted it his way….outside.
I so wanted to marry his daughter and I had to ask him if it would be ok to take his daughter’s hand. That is why I was so nervous. But he surprised me and he made it seem easy to ask him and for that I was always grateful. It was a part of my life I would never want to change and he made that possible.
Dad (as I knew him) was always a decent man and treated people with kindness and respect. Like Gina, he was generous with his compliments and generous with his treasures. And one such treasure was the Lion’s vest full of collector’s pins which he gifted to me so many many years ago and I will treasure it as long as I live.
I know Gina, you will miss your father dearly and to you Gina, I trust you will find the strength of your father to live your life to its fullest.
And to Peter, I also send my deepest condolences to you and also hope you will find the strength that was in your father to also live your life to its fullest.
And to the rest of the Rolt family and extended family whom I never met or may have missed, I send my deepest and sincerest condolences to all of you.
Sincerely,
Roy Kaiser
Gina & Peter I have the fondest memories of your dad too numerous to mention that goes back to my early youth in Brampton. He will always have a place in my heart.❤️
Vicki- Anne Pollard
Wayne and I were very fortunate to be a small part of Derek’s life.
We met Derek through Kyle, ( his grandson), years ago when Kyle came to live with us while playing Junior A hockey. When Kyle’s mom and dad, Linda & Tracey, came over to see him play they would often pick Derek up in Fairfield and bring him up.
Derek loved to come to Duncan to watch him play, and would stop over for a few bevies and appys afterwards.
From there it grew into a true friendship where we would visit with him and Margaret.
Tracey and Linda would often come over for work parties at (the cottage), working hard to maintain Derek’s and Margaret’s home.
We’d stop over with our young grandkids and they’d be rolling with laughter at us trying to “curtail” the kids on their back patio and beautiful groomed back gardens with Linda and Kyle.
We had so many laughs listening to his stories, meeting other family members, Linda, Trevor (Lori), Colin and Gina.
Derek and Margaret always treated us as extended family
We will miss him and Margaret, but they will always have a piece of our hearts.
My condolences to the family,
I will remember Derek as being sincere, he always treated me as a dear friend. He would share his stories of his family and his past life in the military, wow what an amazing man.
Derek will be missed by all of us here at the Canadian Coast Guard Base in Vitoria BC.
Sincerely.
Rick Specht