Thomas "Derrick" Iles

T Derrick Iles passed peacefully on Christmas Day with his loving daughter Sian Elizabeth at his side. After an amazing life of 90 years on three continents, he joined his wife of 59 years, Christine Llewelyn on her birthday. How fitting.

Born into a loving family in Canton, Cardiff, Wales in the UK, “Poppy” started his long education at the Cardiff School for Boys. Supported by his parents Jim and Edith and his siblings John, Audrey and Terry he continued to learn at University of Wales in Cardiff.

Nipper Iles was a renown Welsh rugby player who suited up for Cardiff, Llanelli and the Welsh Academical’s. His prowess at outside half partially was responsible for him gaining acceptance to Christ’s College at Cambridge. It was no coincidence that Christ College won the national academic rugby championship the next year.

He became a scientist for the British government and studied the Cichlid fish of Lake Malawi in Nyasaland. He wrote an academic book with Dr Geoffrey Fryer “The Cichlid Fish of the Great Lakes of Africa”, a staple text for fresh water fish biology.

He met his wife, Christine Llewelyn, (daughter of Merlyn and Rachel, sister to Marlene and Margery) on leave from Africa. They married and traveled back to Nyasaland where Sian Elizabeth was born. Many wonderful years were spent by the three in the beautiful country.

Dad travelled back to the UK with his young family and studied herring of the North Sea at the Biological Station in Lowestoft England. David Llewelyn was welcomed to the family.

After several years, the Iles lept across “The Pond” and landed in St. Andrews, NB, Canada. This would be their long term Home. Derrick worked several decades at the St. Andrews Biological Station and successfully protected the Herring industry of the Bay of Fundy which still thrives.

Nearly exactly 11 years after her brother, Rhiannon Victoria strode confidently into the world. Third child. Third continent.

The Iles family thrived in Canada. Poppy and Nana welcomed grandchildren Caitlin, David, Erin, Allison, Patrick, Jack and Rhys into the fold. Many visits to St Andrews were enjoyed by all. Just over a year ago great grandson James was born to everyone’s delight.

Eleanor Brewster and Yvonne Iles cared for Nana and Poppy in their senior years in St Andrews. Thank you Eleanor and Yvonne.

Christine and Derrick lived their last three years in the loving comfort of “Parklands at the Gardens” in Halifax. Thanks to Erin, Sian, David Lawrence, Allison M, Princy, Melissa, Karen, Leisa, Amy, Arzu, Aman, Jackie, Kiran, Alison and Dominique for caring so well for them in their golden years.

Derrick and Christine had 59 amazing years together, and they are now together again, starting on her birthday.

A Memorial service and reception will be held on Saturday December 30 at 10:00 am at All Saints Cathedral in the Great Hall, 1330 Cathedral Ln, Halifax, NS (use side entrance)

Love and miss you dearly. Sian, David and Rhiannon