On June 13, 2022, Paul Christopher DeRoche died after a three-year battle with cancer. A strong advocate of dying with dignity, he opted for medical assistance in dying (MAID). He died the way he lived, on his own terms.
He was born in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, middle son of the late John Hutchins Fortescue DeRoche and the late Doris Pearl (Colp) DeRoche. Still living are brothers John Estano DeRoche (Connie Pennacchio) of Halifax and Peter Lavinis DeRoche (Cheryl Rowe) of Toronto. He has been a loving uncle to his adult nephew and nieces: Gabriel, Aleda, and Annelise of Toronto. Among many friends mourning his loss, Terina Pickering was very close to him in his last years and hours; she will miss him deeply, and his family is grateful for her friendship, kindness and care.
Paul graduated in environmental technology from present-day Cape Breton University. For most of his career in that field, he worked in the petroleum industry of Alberta. A proud son of Nova Scotia, Paul was remarkably well-travelled: he accomplished the classic young man’s rite-of-passage of a 1970s train tour of Europe in his early 20s, stints on the oil rigs off the coast of Newfoundland, and extended stays in Ecuador and Pakistan, all as part of his work. After returning to Nova Scotia, he established a business from his home in Conquerall Bank near Bridgewater, and many residents of Southern Nova Scotia have Paul DeRoche to thank for their basements no longer threatened by invading water.
Paul had an independent and venturesome spirit. An avid hunter and fisherman, he enjoyed his wilderness outings with his cousins Allan Colp and the late Stephen Colp in BC and Yukon, and with his truly great friends in Alberta. Against all odds, last October he drove to Northern Quebec to join a moose hunt and, even more impressive, booked another to the interior of Newfoundland for October this year, although it was not to be.
Dogs were constant companions for Paul over the years, including his beloved Springer Spaniel, Gordon Setters and, most recently, a sweet German Shepherd named Sugar. Paul was a stalwart of the Bridgewater Tae Kwon Do community. He represented his club in competitions, and visited family in Toronto to attend the Tae Kwon Do finals at the Pan-Am Games. He could also be seen driving his niece around country roads on his Harley Davidson.
Paul will be dearly missed by his friends and family. In loving remembrance, he invites us all to shuck some oysters, boil some lobsters, put on the music of one of his favourite guitarists, Mark Knopfler, and toast him with a glass of bourbon!
His family and friends are grateful for his care team, including Dr. Stephanie Snow at QEII in Halifax, Dr. Catherine Harris in Bridgewater, palliative care co-ordinator Kim Berkley in Bridgewater, and his family doctor, Dr. Tim Riding.
Funeral Arrangements are under the direction of the Dana L. Sweeny Funeral Home, 11213 Hwy #3, Lunenburg. At Paul’s request, cremation has taken place and there will not be a public memorial service held.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Canadian Cancer Society as requested by Paul.
www.sweenyfuneralhome.ca
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Paul Christopher DeRoche Monday June 13th 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Lunenburg, Province: Nova Scotia