Dear Stuart & Douglas and family, we are truly saddened to learn of Dermot’s passing as I was trying to call him like I said that I would. I don’t just recall how long ago it was that Dermot called me and it was very difficult to understand what he was trying to tell me. We did talk for a few minutes but it was clear that he was having a problem with his speech and I said that I will call you a little later. 
I realize now that Dermot was reaching out to me to say good bye and I missed what he had to say and I am sad about that.
We have had the pleasure of being friends with Dermot and Helen for better than 50 years, where we didn’t see each other after we moved to Ontario but friendships like ours was not built on seeing each other on a regular basis. We became friends the first time that we met in the Scout Groups and it lasted a lifetime. Both Lynda and I are very proud of our friendship with your family and we sincerely hope that it will carry on. Rest In Peace Dermot
Angus & Lynda Todd, New Hamburg, Ontaro

Dear Stuart and Doug,

I was so sorry to hear your news and have many fond memories of your dad from our teenage years.  I remember him for his great skills at renovating (the basement project!), his  passion for making beer and scouting. 

I knew I had this photo somewhere and dug it up this morning. I couldn’t resist sharing, as it captures for me the quiet energy he had and always a twinkle in his eye.  He will be missed.   Frances

I was so sad to hear of Dermot’s passing. I thought of Helen and Dermot as extended family and we loved it when they joined our family for gatherings. This pictures was taken at Tricia’s and Doug’s blessing, down at Chazy, the two boys in their kilts.  Dermot use to say that Dad, Duncan, was like  an extra older brother, they were so close and would talk and laugh for hours. I was glad I did get to see and talk with him, last September at Dad’s memorial.
Anne Shaddick

Our condolences to Stuart, Douglas and family.  Growing up next door to them in Pointe Claire all those years ago brings back many, many good memories.  Dermot was responsible for my 36 year career with CN with a summer job that was only suppose to last two weeks.  The Braebrook group gatherings that happened all year round. I lift a pint to Dermot for being part of all those happy memories.  

Dermot was my “big brother” and I was the baby of our family.
We moved around quite a bit due to our father’s occupation as an Exciseman. Orkney, Girvan, Troon, Chester and Inverness. Dermot went to America for a year on an American Field Service exchange due to a flier our father saw in Chester library. In Iowa he passed his driving test in High School and came home to Inverness for final year in Inverness academy. Our family car was used by him so much that some of his friends thought it was his! Leaving school he worked for an accountancy firm J C Frame in Inverness before moving to Central Scotland to work with Boroughs Machines where his computer journey began. Then to Hoover in London area where he met Helen, married and lived in Hayes Middlesex. He was best man at my marriage to Barbara in 1972. The big move then to Montreal where he blossomed. A life well lived.
Love you brother.
Donald

I thought I had managed to" Add A Memory" but I don't see it listed. But my internet skills were always lacking, as Dermot had suggested.  A second attempt follows.  I met Dermot in Inverness in the sixties when we both were young adults with some adolescent behaviour escaping from time to time. Good memories when looking back in our mature age but, perhaps, not the most sensible behaviour at the time. Our sense of humour was shared, his more drole than mine. Dermot and family's  move to Canada meant that we had little contact, My wife and I remember, with much joy, the hospitality from Helen and Dermot when we holidayed in Canada. Over the last few years we have had more contact, the dreaded internet again.  Perhaps, a sign of a good friend is when it is easy to pick up all the threads again. We found that our views on life had remained, and discussions on The Scottish Rugby Team brought out views, at times caustic, at times optimistic.  The lot of a Scot.  The following words reflect thoughts  I have had since learning that Dermot had died.

Happy the man,  and happy he alone,
He who can call the day his own,
He, who, secure within, can say,
Tomorrow do thy worst, for I have lived today. 

Horace, as translated by John Dryden

(A bit pretentious Dermot would say)




I had the privilege of working with Dermot and Helen at the Ecomuseum when they volunteered. We could always count on them right at this time of year when we had our frog evening activities. I cherish the wealth of knowledge that was Dermot as he shared his love of gardening with me. I am so sorry for your loss, he wi be remembered fondly.
-Elizabeth 

J'ai connu Dermot au Zoo Ecomuseum! Il fesait du bénévolat et il le fesait avec grande passion! Tous les jeunes écoutaient ses histoires avec des étoiles dans les yeux! Dermot avait toujours le sourire au lèvres et il était d'une gentillesse incroyable! Au nom de l'équipe du Zoo Ecomuseum je souhaite offrir mes sincères condoléances à la famille. Nous garderons tous un souvenir précieux de Dermot.


I coached both Dermot and Helen, when they used to swim at the Beaconsfield Greyfins.  They were an awesome couple to hang with. Dermot and my husband would talk for hours about....anything and everything.  We had a lot of good laughs together.  The last time I saw Dermot, a few years ago for sure,  he was so excited to see me he had us all crying.  Dermot was a great listener and only gave answers when you wanted them.  He lived life to the fullest.   I will surely miss our talks. My sympathy goes out to all the Family.  Love  Sandy and Jeff Boyle

It is with great sadness as I write this.  Helen and Dermot played a very positive role in my families life.  Who else could teach my NZ sisters to walk on water.  They were a scared group leaving the house with him and a scarier group as they gingerly walked on the clear ice.
He was so funny, a wonderful memory we all enjoy to this day.

His joy of his work at the Ecomuseum was shared by us all, many a visit was had when family came to visit.

They hosted my NZ family many times and they share with me, their sadness at his passing.  My deepest sympathies to you all.

Ngaire Metcalf

First time Dermot met my daughter, Lennon Willis.

Jacob Willis

I met Dermot during a Y2K consulting assignment in 1999 to 2000. 
It was a very high level consulting assignment for very large and famous multinational corporation.  Dermot and I got off to a rocky and contentious start.  After a few months we developed a relationship based on trust and  mutual respect.

Dermot was one of the most honorable and memorable human beings I have ever met. One of most memorable aspects was how much he loved his family.  No mater what problems we were experiencing at work, all you had to do to bring a smile to his was to ask him about how Hellen and the boys were doing and he would pause what he was doing, and break int a little soliloquy about all the going on in CANADA.  And of course how great Canada was. 

Dermot was a wonderful and amazing person!

OBITUARY

Dermot Campbell

October 11, 1941 – April 25, 2022

Résidences funéraires Collins Clarke MacGillivray White Funeral Homes

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