GOVER, Derek William
April 14, 1950 – August 12, 2022
Derek William Gover passed away Friday, August 12th at the age of 72 after battling an illness for several months. It comforts us to know that he lives in paradise now and meets his savior Jesus face to face.
Derek was born in St. Thomas, Ontario to dad Russell Gover [deceased], and mom June. Although he lived and enjoyed different provinces during his journey, he always thought of Ontario as his home. Derek married Betty Carr early in life but sadly divorced and Betty passed away years later. They had two beautiful sons, Rusty Gover Dunn who resides in Port Stanley, ON and Bill Gover Wilson in Calgary, AB. Derek later married Colleen and was blessed with a second beautiful family. His son Jamie Gover and daughter Sarah Gover also reside in Ontario. He also leaves behind his sister Carolyn and brother-in-law Gord Simle, niece Bobbie Lynn Cameron, and a great niece Karlie Rae Lypsit, who he thought was pretty special, all of whom reside in Calgary, Alberta. He also had two stepsisters, Betty Howard and Judy Schnurr, when his mom June married Norm Harrington [deceased]. Both Betty and Judy reside in St. Thomas. Derek looked at Norm as a loving and caring stepfather. Derek also had five grandchildren; Courtney, Brittany, Alanna, Tasha, Brantley and another on the way, along with great grandchildren that he loved.
Derek lived his last few years in Calgary with his beloved mom June plus his sister Carolyn who lived nearby. He loved to sit by the Bow River in Cochrane with a big mac and share the afternoon shooting the breeze mostly about his kids. He often spoke fondly of his friends Iris and Stan left behind in Ontario. He loved his children more than anything and thought about them and mentioned them every day. He was proud of his boys and always referred to Sarah as his little angel. He had an amazing love for all animals but dogs and horses were his favorites and put a smile on his face at the sight of one. Derek had many wonderful talents and loved to spend time in his workshop fixing things and building, framing and painting.
Derek and his mom June were very close and were blessed to have some time in his last few years to enjoy the simple things in life like camping, and many days having fish and chips and walking through the country towns of Bragg Creek or High River, where one of his favorite TV shows, Heartland, is filmed.
His son Bill so lovingly moved to Calgary to care for his dad and his grandma June just a couple of months before Derek’s passing. Bill didn’t leave his side and learned very quickly how to nurse and care for his dad’s every need. Oh how you will be so missed Derek, but never ever forgotten.
Cochrane Country Funeral Home – cochrane@piersons.ca
Arrangements entrusted to Flo Simpson, Funeral Director
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of GOVER Derek William 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Cochrane, Province: Alberta