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April 11, 1925 - March 5, 2022
In Loving Memory
It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of the great Marcel Emil DeRycke, just shy of his 97th birthday. Marcel was born in Langenburg, Saskatchewan on April 11, 1925 to Rosie Van Caeseele and Jules DeRycke. Altogether there were 9 siblings. Growing up they lived and worked on the farmstead.
Marcel came to the island in 1946, ending up in Cumberland. He met his wife Maureen DeRycke and they married December 3, 1947. They had a total of 5 children and shared a beautiful life together.
If you knew Marcel, you would know he was the most kind, genuine, humble man. Over his lifetime, he developed many friendships, and was just such a likeable gentleman.
Left behind to mourn his loss is his daughter Laurie & husband Dale, his son Michael & wife Alice, and then Marcy & husband Walter. He also leaves his sister Adele & husband Kenny. Many, many grandchildren and great grandchildren are going to miss their Grandpa! He is predeceased by his wife Maureen who we lost in 2013, his son Robert and daughter Yvonne, they've all been reunited again.
Marcel worked for AS&A trucking for 11 years in Kelsey Bay, his boss Kenny Aitken and him became very good friends, and remained friends up until his passing. He then moved to Port Alice in 1975, and that's when he started his own trucking business. It was called M. DeRycke Trucking. He was a well established businessman, hardest working man on the face of the earth, working every day of the week and keeping his trucks in meticulous shape! After retirement, Marcel and Maureen moved back to the Comox Valley and he bought them their dream home on Thorpe Street, paid for with cash (he believed in paying cash for everything!). So many family memories will always be remembered from the time spent at their home.
Marcel loved his family. He was the threshold that held us all together. Someone we admired, looked up to, and respected. He was honest and true. Life won't be the same without him here. He was so full of love and character. He always loved whooping anyone at a game of pool, him and his sons Robert and Mike always enjoyed watching wrestling and spending time together, and he loved his old country music!
We would like to extend a huge thank you to Dr. Matous and to The Views for the care they provided Marcel over the years. They were incredible to him, and he expressed how much he loved them. Mike "my boy", thank you! Also to all of his other primary nurses and caregivers, Thank You!, and especially Tarah-Marie in his last moments, you made it very peaceful, and the family appreciated all of you, everyone who cared for Marcel. It meant the world to us. The last moments we had with him were beautiful and we will cherish them forever. Marcel passed with his daughter Laurie, son Michael, grandson Darren, granddaughter Ashley, and two great-granddaughters, Leia and Emilee, by his side.
"I love you sweetheart, I love you all!" were Grandpa's final words.
We will be holding a Celebration of Life for Marcel, as per his wishes. It is taking place on April 10th at the Fallen Alders Community Hall in Royston at 2pm. In honor of Marcel, please wear something red and join us to celebrate the heck out of him!


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