Derek Antony Joynes 1932 - 2023

I went looking for a photo of my Dad and found this one (I had used it on the blog when my Mum died). In the last 9 months Mum, Dad and Aimee have all died.

 My Dad passed away on September 9, 2023 peacefully, in his arm chair. He had just turned 91.

Trying to reflect on what to say about him, I realized he was always looking forward; the next job, the next house, the next renovation, the next retirement plan, the next trip. He didn't let anything stand in his way, not even mobility difficulties. He had just returned from a wedding in the U.K. where, with help, he managed the transatlantic flights and the corresponding airports. He was talking about taking a cruise.

He was very social, at cast parties (and family Christmases) he could always be found, leaning on a bar or counter, drink in hand chatting about sports or theatre. He and Mum were always involved with amateur theatre; acting, producing, directing, organizing, hosting parties and working on committees. That and travel filled their lives both before and after retirement. He was currently involved in producing the Garrison Little Theatre's upcoming production.

He prided himself on his adoption and comfort with technology, always happy to buy the next computer or device and only frustrated when his large (and broken too many times) fingers were not sensitive enough or when he had to get help setting something up (though that did give him social time with the people on the tech support line). He prided himself on his memory, happy to tell me that his password was the license plate of his fathers first car or the address of his first house.

He enjoyed watching, and talking about, rugby, base ball, hockey, tennis, old movies, and old jazz. He enjoyed his scotch and his gin and tonic. He continued to drive, a standard transmission Civic.

He had a varied life that I believe he enjoyed, for the most part, not withstanding the covid isolation and the last few years taking care of Mum as she experienced cognitive degeneration.