Derek was born June 3, 1970 to Merle and Janice Perreault of Fort Frances.
He grew up on Couchiching First Nation where he resided most of his young life.
Moving to Thunder Bay, Ontario he went on to pursue a career as an electrician.
Derek was employed by Ontario Hydro till 1993 on the transmission crew. When his job ended he moved back to Fort Frances where he spent a majority of his career at DJ Roach Electric, then ended at the Sapawe Mill.
Derek had a great sense of adventure and didn’t let anything hold him back.
He had a strong passion for hockey with the Detroit Red Wings being his favorite team, this lead him to coach many teams over the years with his best friend Chunk. He also was an avid music lover, like his father he picked up that guitar and just started jamming away.
On August 14, 1999 he married the love of his life Andrea Bell. Together they raised their beautiful daughter Samantha Leigh.
Derek had many memories to cherish over the years, especially when his granddaughter Blaire was born. She was his everything, over the moon with love he was a papa….her papa.
He was predeceased by his parents Merle and Janice Perreault; brother Dennis, grandparents James Sr. and Janet Perreault and Stan and Yvonne Walton.
Derek is survived by his wife Andrea Bell-Perreault; daughter Samantha (James) Thomas; sister Denise (Darren) Bragg; brother Brett Perreault; granddaughter Blaire Thomas; nieces Hailey, Payton, Emma and Abby; nephews Jayden and Corburn; great niece Sophia; father and mother in-law George Bell and Jane Gillon; mother in-law Lucy Bell; two brother in-laws Kevin (Toey) Bone and Jon Bone; three sister in-laws Jaimie and Lorie Bell and Christie (Allen) Raoul.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday September 14, 2019 at Couchiching First Nation Multi-Use Rec Centre at 11:00 am with interment at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery on Couchiching First Nation.
Honourary pallbearers will be Scott McPherson, Marc McPherson, Marty McPherson, Brett Perreault, James Thomas, George Bell along with his nieces and nephews.
Online condolences may be made www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com
DONATIONS
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation235 Yorkland Blvd. Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario M2J 4Y8
Riverside Health Care Foundation - Dialysis Unit110 Victoria Avenue, Fort Frances, Ontario P9A 2C1
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18