Derek James Mills
Born: February 5th, 1971
Passed on: January 29th, 2018
It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of Derek James Mills, 46, Sydney Mines, on Friday, December 29, 2017.
Derek, Feb. 5, 1971, was the first born son to Brenda and the late Alfred (Bubs) Mills. He was an ever-loving Poppy to his brilliant grandson, Kail Mills, and the proudest father to his beautiful daughter, Ashlea Mills.
Derek studied Drafting and Autocad and like many Cape Bretoners, worked out west for years, in both Alberta and BC. Derek loved the time he spent in Vancouver and hoped to return there someday.
Raised on the ocean, Derek was an amazing swimmer and diver. He enjoyed many days on Perch Rock, catching some crawlers and spending time with his friends. He also enjoyed fishing of all sorts, including ice fishing and fly fishing. Derek was a die-hard Toronto Maple Leafs fan. He enjoyed the brawlers, like # 17 Wendel Clark, and completely decked out his truck in Maple Leaf memorabilia. Derek never missed a Hockey Night in Canada game on Saturday night, and even got to enjoy a few games live.
Derek was the oldest of four brothers, who were as thick as thieves, and who gave Brenda and Bubs a run for their money. Bubs could often be heard telling tales about the boys, like the time they fed an entire Christmas turkey to their dog, or the times one of the boys would climb a tree and the others would chop it down with one of them in it.
Being the oldest, Derek loved and was very protective of his brothers and would square off against anyone who gave them grief. Many days were spent enjoying his mom’s spaghetti and playing a good game of cards around the kitchen table.
Derek is survived by his daughter, Ashlea; his grandson, Kail; his mother, Brenda (John Walsh); his brothers, Dwayne, Sydney Mines, Jody (Kelly), North Sydney, and Jason (Leslee), Cochrane, AB. Derek is also survived by his grandmother, Jessie McPhee (Robert); his aunts and uncles, Bev Rideout, Terry Rideout, Freddie Rideout, Ricky Rideout, Emily Bradley and Ekie Mills; and many nieces and nephews.
A special thanks to Dr. Andrew Wawer and to J. M. Jobes Funeral Home. A private family service has taken place.
Words of comfort may be forwarded to his family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.com.
Oh take me where the hockey players face off down the rink
And the Stanley Cup is all filled up for the Leafs who win the drink
At the good ol’ hockey game
