Derick "DMack" MacKenzie was a force. Whether on the ice or off the ice socializing and just playing cards, everyone around him knew he was there. As a curler, he was fiercely competitive and fully engaged in his role, supporting his team and preferring a win. Timely wit was a DNA sport for DMack and he was good at it. Even in the most dire situations or no situation at all, with a wry ear-to-ear grin and gregarious look, Derick took every advantage to poke around and make everyone around him laugh. Always fun to be around, Derick had a youthful passion for live music, especially new and modern genres. He was an avid participant of concerts and shows of artists that most of us have never heard of, even if it was Screamo. If he could crowd surf, he would.
Aside from Derick's curious bluster and presence, he was gentle, kind, giving of his time and a devoted family man. Derick was a relentless volunteer at the curling club and served on the Board as Building Director for many years. He was always on call to help the ice team install or remove ice and was often first on the scene to answer building alarms and do whatever was required at the time. He fixed, he cleaned, he painted, he constructed, he even cooked. Some of his favourite volunteering activities would have been setting up and working the BBQ tent during Carp Fair. For many years he was a big part of the 24-hr marathon cooking of the "dishwasher" beef and serving the participants of the Madhatter bonspiel.
All in all, Derick just wanted everyone to feel welcome, content and at home and his reward was to see us all smile and laugh. As a curling club, we were very lucky to have Derick as a member and as a friend, we couldn't ask for any better. He will be sorely missed. Derick passed away on May 6, 2025.
