Obituary for Derek John "DJ" Skinner
Derek John (DJ) Skinner
Jan. 22, 1925 - June 16, 2022
Passed away in his sleep in the wee hours of Thursday morning, June 16. Survived by his 3 children, Jane Mangat (Raj Mangat), Neil, Nicki, first wife Elinor Skinner, Grand Children Sarah, Emily, R(S) Mangat, William and John Skinner, Great grand-daughters Elora and Addison, Step-son Roger (Chris, Tim and Jessica), Nephew Richard Clarke and niece Linda. Pre-deceased by spouse Jean Skinner, sister Margaret Clarke.
Derek was born in Persia, educated in England as a Civil Engineer and worked and travelled all over the world. DJ developed expertise in specialized formed concrete and project management while contributing to many large infrastructure projects. He left his stamp in Bali, Alberta, Turkey, British Guyana, Montreal, Tunisia, and numerous other cities and countries. His map collection is extensive and fascinating. There was always another adventure and another project.
He settled in Montreal and married Elinor, with whom he had 3 children before they all exited Quebec in 1967 and settled in Mississauga. While living in a house that backed onto the Rattray Marsh, Derek taught his kids how dangerous snapping turtles and geese could be and tied their skates so tight in winter their feet went numb in seconds.
Derek later moved to Toronto and married Jean. They homesteaded a cottage on Rice Lake, with DJ building much of it with logs he cleared himself from the land. The cottage was a decades-long project (there was always a project) but as age crept up, Derek and Jean de-camped to Victoria, BC to enjoy the milder weather and access to the ocean. They had many wonderful adventures on their trawler, Laramie, (another on-going project, there was always a project).
DJ was passionate about politics and felt compelled to protect the integrity of his adopted home, Canada, from any intrusion or control of its resources and financial system. He participated in many lively debates and was always sharing his views and research through his writing. He even ran as a Federal Candidate in Victoria for a fringe party at the age of 79!
As he started to slow physically, DJ dedicated more and more time to his writing. There was always a book to write. Derek and Jean spent their final years together enjoying the mild weather of Victoria and meeting weekly for over 20 years with his wonderful friends, the Ogden Pointers, until Jean’s passing on August 31, 2019. In the summer of 2021 Derek returned to Mississauga, where he spent his final year enjoying the company of his children and grand-children.
As per his wishes, there will be no formal service, however a small celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Jan. 22, 1925 - June 16, 2022
Passed away in his sleep in the wee hours of Thursday morning, June 16. Survived by his 3 children, Jane Mangat (Raj Mangat), Neil, Nicki, first wife Elinor Skinner, Grand Children Sarah, Emily, R(S) Mangat, William and John Skinner, Great grand-daughters Elora and Addison, Step-son Roger (Chris, Tim and Jessica), Nephew Richard Clarke and niece Linda. Pre-deceased by spouse Jean Skinner, sister Margaret Clarke.
Derek was born in Persia, educated in England as a Civil Engineer and worked and travelled all over the world. DJ developed expertise in specialized formed concrete and project management while contributing to many large infrastructure projects. He left his stamp in Bali, Alberta, Turkey, British Guyana, Montreal, Tunisia, and numerous other cities and countries. His map collection is extensive and fascinating. There was always another adventure and another project.
He settled in Montreal and married Elinor, with whom he had 3 children before they all exited Quebec in 1967 and settled in Mississauga. While living in a house that backed onto the Rattray Marsh, Derek taught his kids how dangerous snapping turtles and geese could be and tied their skates so tight in winter their feet went numb in seconds.
Derek later moved to Toronto and married Jean. They homesteaded a cottage on Rice Lake, with DJ building much of it with logs he cleared himself from the land. The cottage was a decades-long project (there was always a project) but as age crept up, Derek and Jean de-camped to Victoria, BC to enjoy the milder weather and access to the ocean. They had many wonderful adventures on their trawler, Laramie, (another on-going project, there was always a project).
DJ was passionate about politics and felt compelled to protect the integrity of his adopted home, Canada, from any intrusion or control of its resources and financial system. He participated in many lively debates and was always sharing his views and research through his writing. He even ran as a Federal Candidate in Victoria for a fringe party at the age of 79!
As he started to slow physically, DJ dedicated more and more time to his writing. There was always a book to write. Derek and Jean spent their final years together enjoying the mild weather of Victoria and meeting weekly for over 20 years with his wonderful friends, the Ogden Pointers, until Jean’s passing on August 31, 2019. In the summer of 2021 Derek returned to Mississauga, where he spent his final year enjoying the company of his children and grand-children.
As per his wishes, there will be no formal service, however a small celebration of life will be held at a later date.