DEREK JOHN WELHAM

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DEREK JOHN WELHAM May 9, 1933 - June 25, 2017 Peacefully, on Sunday, June 25, 2017, at the Gimli Community Health Centre, with his family by his side, Derek Welham, aged 84 years, of Gimli, MB, beloved husband of Marion. Derek was born and raised in Neyland, Pembrokeshire, Wales. He was the eldest of five boys. Derek began his working life as a fireman on the Great Eastern Railway. In 1951 he joined the 45 Regiment of the British Army and served in the Korean War. Upon his return home he met and quickly married the love of his life, Marion (nee Hewett). Happy times were spent building boats and enjoying excursions on the Cleddeau Estuary with their growing family. With four young children in tow, they immigrated to Canada in 1970, determined to give them a better life. They moved first to Montreal, and over the years continued to move west, eventually retiring on Vancouver Island, and later in Gimli. Dad was a cabinet maker by trade, with a patient hand and eye for detail. He worked for a variety of companies, Misawa Homes in Gimli and Universal Woodworking in Selkirk among them. In retirement he turned his talents to intarsia, scrollwork, and stained glass. His pieces will be cherished by his family. Derek took great pleasure in ballroom dancing with Marion, listening to big band music, and gardening. To his last days, he was an avid reader. His pocket notebooks were a wealth of information and reminders. Derek was predeceased by his parents Olive and Jack, brothers Brian, Jeffrey and Glyn. Remaining to forever cherish Derek's memory are his wife of 61 years, Marion; son Clive (Jill), Tristan (Diana), James (Kaycee) and Matthew (Jana); son Adrian (Jo-Ann), Rhys and Carly (Mac); daughter Vivienne (Paul) Kettle, Karen and Sandie; son Christopher, Jessica and Kelsey; brother and sister-in-law Colin and Dorothy Welham; sisters-in-law Rosalind Welham and Jenny Welham; as well as extended family and friends. A celebration of his life will be held on Wednesday, July 5 at 11:00 a.m. at the Johnson Hall, Waterfront Centre in Gimli. Flowers gratefully declined. A special thank you to Dr. R. C. Patel, and the nursing staff at the Johnson Memorial Hospital and Betel Home, Gimli for their kind care. NEIL BARDAL FUNERAL CENTRE 204-949-2200 neilbardalinc.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 30, 2017