Derb gets a fitting send-off

By Mark Ribble

The passing of Steve Derbyshire on September 14 was a day that many hunting, fishing and outdoor enthusiasts had been dreading for a few months.

‘Derb’ was loved by many and the hundreds that gathered for his funeral were a testament to that love.

Derb was the Harbour Master at Wheatley for the past several years and only gave that job up on August 31 as his health deteriorated. He was a welcoming face to many who launched boats in Wheatley and a relied-upon source of information for those who were venturing out for walleye or rainbow.

After beating a cancer diagnosis a few years ago, Derb was hit once again with the dreaded disease in April of this year. A stage 4 diagnosis of lung cancer put life in perspective for the affable 55-year-old, who spent his last months doing as much fishing and hunting as his deteriorating body would allow.

His fishing charters aboard Tequila Sunrise gave about 500 people a great fishing experience this past summer — something that all of those people will cherish for the rest of their lives.

Derb was a legend in the hunting community for sharing his hunting knowledge and ‘favourite spots’ with young and old hunters alike.

In fact, he got out for his last goose hunt only four days before he passed, sharing his passion for the sport with his nephew Satchel Brouwer and other young hunters.

His talents with the goose and duck calls were legendary among hunters far and wide. The Tim Grounds Championship Calls company recently produced a commemorative Steve Derbyshire “The People’s Champ” limited edition goose call.

Steve was well-known in hunting circles as far south as Florida and as far west as Alberta. Many of the condolences on his social media came from miles away.

But it was what he did locally that will now leave a void in hunting, fishing and boating communities.

Derb was recognized a week before his passing by the federal government with an Outstanding Citizen Award. Chatham-Kent Leamington MP Dave Epp joined members of the Wheatley Harbour Authority in a visit to Steve’s house where they bestowed that honour on him. “Even though he was wearing out quickly, he still held court like a boss,” said his sister Lisa.

He had also been awarded a Queen’s Jubilee pin earlier this summer.

Lisa was with him when he passed at their childhood family home on the morning of September 14.

“Last Wednesday, Steve told the doctor that the only thing he was worrying about was if he could go goose hunting on opening day,” said Lisa in announcing Steve’s passing. “And he did just that! As weak as he was, he blew his call and shot a couple geese. I think this morning he must have wanted to get to the blind before the geese started flying and he died at 6:07 am.”

Lisa gave a moving eulogy at Steve’s funeral on Sunday, September 18, followed by speeches from Corey Harrison and one of Derb’s honourary nephews, Kyle Dick.

After the service, those in attendance blew dozens of goose calls as Steve’s coffin pulled away from Reid Funeral Home in a salute to a great hunting and fishing educator whose presence will never be duplicated.

Kevin Reid then offered to drive Steve past Hillman Marsh one last time, a fitting tribute to a great guy gone too soon.