Obituary of Duff Anthony Derbyshire

May 27, 1958 – Calgary, Alberta

October 22, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Duff Anthony Derbyshire of Calgary, AB, passed away on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at the age of 66 years.

After a lengthy illness and lifelong mental health challenges, "Duffy" has transitioned to his next great adventure. He is survived by his mom Jean Derbyshire, his siblings, Jan (JD) Derbyshire and Jean Storey; his niece Kacey Rohl, his aunts, Trish Derbyshire (Sister Pat), Diane Bakker, and Phyllis Derbyshire; his uncles, Hank Bakker and Jerry Fisher; brother-in-law Ed Storey, and cousins, Jessica Bolland, Crystal Koch, Wendy Claude, and Greg Derbyshire. He was predeceased by his dad Wally Derbyshire, his grandma Jean Fisher, his grandfather Stanley Fisher, his grandparents, William and Francis Derbyshire, and his uncle Jim Derbyshire

Duffy was tended and cared for by dozens of healthcare workers and fellow patients over the past 18 months. A special shoutout to his smoker pals, Jo and Patricia, and the patients and staff on Unit 22 at Foothills Medical Centre. Thank you for your everyday acts of kindness and your appreciation of Duffy's “daily jokes", his sense of humor, his off-key singing, his way of trying to bring joy in whatever small ways he could find, and for making room for his irritability that came with the pain. Duffy's family will be forever grateful to you all and to Dr. Ghate, who is such a loving, caring doctor, who advocated for the extra care Duff so needed.

Duffy worked most of his life as a short-order cook, with his last job at Bella Roma Pizza being one of his all-time favorites. He loved sports and left this earthly realm with his Calgary Flames hat on. He was a music aficionado with a wide eclectic taste. To help send Duffy on his way, feel free to play anything by Aerosmith, The Stray Cats, King for a Day by Thompson Twins, King of the Road by Roger Miller, or Too Much Fun by Commodore Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen.

Back in the day, Duffy won a high school football championship with the Bishop Carroll Cardinals, proudly wearing #63. For over thirty years, he was an avid runner, participating in several Marathons and half-marathons. Duffy was sober for 29 years with the help and love of many of his friends in AA, particularly members of The Glenmore Group and The Daily Reflections in Calgary. The last time his sibling JD asked what he was grateful for, he said, "breathing and smoking". Pure Duffy.

Duffy's kindness, humor, optimism, joyfulness, and tenacity will be greatly missed. Carry on 'Fluffy Duffy', 'Sonny Bunny’, Fiver, 'Duffy-Dog', Bro. You are loved and beloved, and one tough cookie.

A Celebration of Duffy’s Life will be held at a later date.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Duff’s family here.

In living memory of Duff Derbyshire, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-276-2296.