Derek Rowland Wright

Derek was born in Chennai (formerly Madras), India on September 8, 1930, to his parents Rowland and Gladys Wright. As was common at the time, he was educated in England at Rugby School and Cambridge University. Following his graduation, Derek worked as a mechanical engineer initially in India and then for the Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB), in Wales.

In one of the greatest romantic meeting stories, Derek met his future wife, Virginia (Jinny), after being involved in a car accident. He was taken to the Emergency Department of Great Ormond Street Hospital where Jinny worked as a nurse on the pediatric ward. The night of Derek’s admission she had taken a random overnight shift and was assigned as his nurse. From this chance encounter, a loving 63-year marriage ensued. Derek and Jinny welcomed their first son, Matthew, in 1962 in Newcastle and their second son, James in 1964 in High Wycombe. In 1966 the opportunity of new work in Canada brought the family to Montreal and was followed by work in Toronto and Vancouver. After leaving BC Hydro, Derek continued as an engineering consultant in Kansas City, Indonesia, and New Zealand before retiring to Brentwood Bay, BC in 1991. Derek and Jinny lived an idyllic life on Vancouver Island until their health precluded them from living so far from family and brought them to Surrey, BC in 2019.

Derek is survived by Virginia, his wife of 63 years, and will be lovingly remembered by his sons, Matthew (Monika) and James (Kathleen); grandchildren Brendan (Samantha), Madeleine (David), Declan and Caedmon. Derek was predeceased by his parents (Rowland and Gladys) and his sister, Diane.

Derek loved Canada and British Columbia in particular. He saw Canada as a land with tremendous opportunity and potential. While he was frequently critical of the state of Canadian affairs, Derek never lost his abiding love for this country and all it had given him.

Derek’s deep faith and devotion to God and his church community were an ever-present component of his life and he spent many hours volunteering and studying.

Derek also was a firm believer in education and mentorship and as such volunteered helping youth understand mathematics (which was one of his passions). His continuous study of the Oxford Dictionary of English provided Derek with an astonishing vocabulary second to none.

Those who knew Derek will recall his love of gardening, eye for photographic detail and keen interest in the current cricket matches!

We are deeply grateful to the staff and community of Amica White Rock for the care and security they provided for him and Jinny over the past few years. We would also like to commend the staff of Peace Arch Hospital who treated Derek, and comforted his family in difficult circumstances, for their professionalism and compassion.

Despite all his accomplishments, Derek was a humble and modest man who epitomized the word gentleman. He was a stellar example to his family and taught us all so many valuable life lessons.

Derek will be deeply missed but undoubtedly not forgotten.

A date for remembrance is to be announced.

In lieu of flowers please feel free to make a donation to the Alzheimer's Society of Canada