Obituaries

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Derek Dunwoody on March 13, 2026, at the age of 92 in Victoria, British Columbia.

Born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, Derek attended school there and developed a lifelong love of sailing. As a young man he spent many hours racing boats off Howth Head in Dublin Bay, a passion that would remain with him throughout his life.

Before entering the Church of Ireland ministry, Derek worked in the insurance industry in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales while raising his young family. Feeling a call to serve in the Church of Ireland, he attended Divinity College Dublin and Trinity College. He was ordained as a deacon in 1963 and served for two years in the parish of Swanlinbar in County Cavan after which he moved to Kilkenny as the Bishop’s Vicar at St. Canice’s Cathedral. He was ordained a priest in 1965 at Kilmore Cathedral, County Cavan.

In 1967 Derek emigrated from Ireland with his young family to Montreal, Canada, where he served The Diocese of Montreal at St. Barnabas Church in Saint-Lambert, followed by two years at St. Michael and All Angels Church in Pierrefonds.

The family returned to Ireland in 1970 before Derek continued his ministry in Grimsby, England, and later in Castlederg, Northern Ireland.

Derek later moved to Canada again, serving a rural ministry based in Hodgson, Manitoba, where he provided pastoral care to four churches. He subsequently served for fifteen years at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

In 1989 he moved to Alberta to  serve the Diocese of Calgary at St. Cyprian’s Church in Didsbury and at All Saints Church in Cochrane, Alberta, where he continued his ministry for ten years.

In 2002 Derek retired to Victoria, British Columbia. There he returned to his love of sailing, spending many happy years exploring the waters around Victoria and beyond with friends and later with his beloved wife Rhoda, who shared his enthusiasm for life on the water.

In retirement Derek remained deeply committed to the ministry of healing within the church and spent more than fifteen years with  Rhoda shepherding a contemplative prayer group. Grounded in the Celtic spiritual tradition, Derek was a deeply spiritual man. He was progressive, searching, and unafraid to be challenged by new ideas, always open to the call of the Spirit wherever it might be found. Through his example and his own spiritual journey, he enriched and encouraged the lives of many.

Derek is survived by his wife, Rhoda — after three tries, he got it right — and by his sons Colin (Anne), Simon, and Neal (Sylvie). He is also lovingly remembered by Rhoda’s daughters Jennifer and Chloe.

His grandchildren are Stefani, Sasha, Jordan, Rebecca, Christina, Susanna, and Elena. His great-grandchildren are Leon, Owen, Edie, and Zara.

He is also survived by his brother Roger (Heather) and his sister Hilary (David).

In liew of flowers, if you wish to make a memorial donation, we suggest The Contemplative Society.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday April 25th, at 2:00 PM at St Mary The Virgin, Anglican Church, 1701 Elgin Rd. Oak Bay, BC