The world is a little darker today, ‘baby boy’ Koniuch; Derek Edward Ronald
Koniuch, aka ‘DERK’ born March 22, 1990 left us suddenly Friday September 23, 2022.
It is with great sadness we mourn his passing, but with the deepest gratitude we celebrate his life and the gift his presence has brought us! A short life filled to
the brim with adventures, joy and memories we will forever cherish.
None of us expected to be collaborating on this obituary this week, as we scanned our hearts and our memories for the words and stories that would memorialize his life, we all ran the full course of emotions … we laughed, we cried, we felt angry and frustrated, but there were a few things we all agreed on when describing him – that large presence, so much laughter, his exceptionally social nature, the fun, the extremes and dualities, that wee hint of competitiveness and his incredibly talented creative ability!
Growing up Derek lived and breathed hockey, with sides of lacrosse and soccer in the offseason; he played it, he watched it, he talked about it and that love of hockey followed him through his entire life!
Some of his best friends and biggest travels were through hockey! His Bantam Triple A team’s trip to Japan, the many family trips to the Florida Palms tournament that he had hoped to play in next year, that Midget OMHA championship in Elora were some of his most cherished Hockey Highlights.
This passed year Derek was thrilled to be playing with four generations of Koniuch men on the ice; his Grandfather Ed, Father Ron and Nephew Jacob; the Wednesday night summer league with beer and wings at Juniors afterwards for some animated discussions about goals he sniped and how many guys he dangled.
Being outdoors, connected to nature and free; was without question this man’s natural state. His life was indeed guided by these passions, from his hobbies to his career, in all kinds of weather you could find him under the sun and stars and if you threw on a bonfire, you had a friend for life!
In 2017 surrounded by their family and friends at his childhood home; Derek married his high school sweetheart and soul mate Amanda. They began their life as husband and wife under a beautiful September sky with horses in the background and dogs underfoot in the Cowboy Church he built to house their ceremony.
His career became an extension of his creative Spirit and his incredible desire to build things. Framing wasn’t just a job; he took great pride in bringing his ideas to life. Perhaps his greatest joys of late have been the additions he was working on for his parents, as well as his own home with Amanda and their fur-babies Maize & Lucifer.
‘Family’ by Derek’s definition extended well beyond ‘blood and DNA’; he embraced friends’, teammates and coworkers into his heart and held them in his deep loyalties. His capacity to love and support the people in his life knew no bounds, and he often said, “if I made someone smile today, I did good.”
Derek is survived by his loving wife Amanda; dog Maize, cat Lucifer and horse Rowdy; parents Ron & Jo Ann Koniuch; sisters Jessica & Melissa Koniuch; nephew Jacob Conley; Grand Parents Ed & Gloria Koniuch and Robert & Betty Roth.
Loved by his many Aunts and Uncles, cousins, in-laws and his incredible supporting cast of friends, coworkers and teammates … and the random strangers he would strike up conversations with everywhere he went!
Derek will be cremated before coming home to rest. A private family gathering to celebrate his life will happen in the coming weeks. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to the be made in Derek’s memory to the Guelph Humane Society.
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