Obituary
Malvin “Derek” Rawlinson passed away on September 28, 2020 in Kelowna, British Columbia at the age of 90 years young. Derek is survived by and will be lovingly remembered by his lifelong love and wife of 65 years Daphne (nee Hewson). Derek also leaves his two sons and loving wives, Paul and Elise Rawlinson and Ian and Nicole Rawlinson; his grandchildren and spouses, Patrick and Melissa (Dagg), Katherine (Dagg), Michelle and Nate (Klapp), Rebecca (Rawlinson) and Aaron (Devine), Kyle and Kassia (Rawlinson), Eric (Rawlinson) and Kelsey (Gerlitz), Keira and Brynn (Rawlinson). He is also survived by nine great grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his only sibling, Terry Rawlinson.
Derek was born in Runcorn, England to Fred and May Rawlinson on May 26, 1930. He met his wife at age 17 where he carried her heart away on a motorbike. They never looked back and married on August 20, 1955 at the “Bear and Billet” in Chester, England. He began teaching in Wallesey, England and built their first home in Pamber Heath, where they welcomed their children, Paul and Ian. Derek saw a brighter future in another country and somehow came upon Canada as a destination. In August of 1968 he packed up his family and much to the chagrin of Daphne, they moved the family of four to Rimbey, Alberta where they were welcomed with snow and cold like they had never experienced before. He continued his teaching at Rimbey Junior/Senior High School for four years while at the same time he completed a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Alberta, making the long commute on a weekly basis, in great sacrifice, again for the betterment of his family.
Anyone who knew Derek, knew that he was always seeking something better or different to keep life interesting and for his family’s happiness, and this was true until his last days. In 1972, just four years after arriving in Rimbey, Derek again picked up and moved his family to Calgary, Alberta. From this move he and his family became loving members of “The Fountain Road Gang”. It was here that cherished memories were made for the Rawlinson family, with more parties than one can count, laughs that lasted a lifetime and love that lived in his heart till the day he passed. The bonds between families and friends were never broken and will never be forgotten.
At heart, Derek was a teacher and a builder. Throughout his career, including decades spent at Chestermere High School, he talked fondly of his students and colleagues. He was a master at instilling his passion for building and constructing within his students. Derek, or lovingly known as “Rawli”, always taught “shop”, but more accurately, he taught kids. The impact he had on many students’ lives can not be understated. He taught with care and passion, his most important lessons being that you should always pursue your passions in life and do what you truly love to do.
Derek always enjoyed the simple things in life: camping and campfires at Mara Lake, boating, travelling around Canada and the US in his homemade camperized van, spending countless hours in his garden, and renovating home after home. With Derek, there was always a creative project on the go. He had the ability to see the potential in things that most people overlooked.
In the summer of 2001 Derek and Daphne once again made a big move, this time to Lake Country in British Columbia. Here they began another new chapter of renovating yet another home and creating the most beautiful garden that became the envy of his neighbours and the community. With no shortage of work ethic Derek worked at his passions until he could work no more. He moved with Daphne to Chartwell Chatsworth assisted living centre in Kelowna where once again he attempted to renovate the place, but quickly learned he could not remove siding, nor knock out walls. Eventually his health began to deteriorate, and he was moved into long-term care in Kelowna in February of this year. Derek passed away peacefully in his sleep at Spring Valley Long term care facility where our family owes immense gratitude to the staff and his doctors for their care in his final days.
As a husband, Derek or also known as her ‘Der’ to his ‘Daf’, defined the vow “till death do us part”, he proved love can conquer everything and that sometimes you just have to say you’re sorry. Always a teacher, Derek taught his sons and grandchildren to work hard, set goals, be creative, love unconditionally, accept who you are, and love every second of the joys in life.
Words can not express our grief but we know Dad is currently looking to find new tools, free of all ailments and is beginning to build yet again.
No service will be held at this time, comments and condolences can be made to Daphne and family at www.everdenrust.com In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Derek can be made to the Alziemers Society of BC alzheimer.ca/en/bc in Derek’s name.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Derek Rawlinson May 26 1930

September 28 2020..

everden rust funeral services & cremation

Death notice for the town of: Kelowna, Province: Colombie britanique

death notice Derek Rawlinson May 26 1930

September 28 2020

mortuary notice Derek Rawlinson May 26 1930

September 28 2020