In Loving Memory of
Darrell Bruce Gillespie
1952 - 2024
Obituary of Darrell Bruce Gillespie
Passed away suddenly on April 17th, 2024. Beloved husband and best friend of Chris for 48 years. He loved being a father to Jessica-Layne (Dave), Jordan (Leslie), Taylor (Taryn) and Paige (James). Adored Papa to Mkhaya, Sydney, Caleb, Arayalle, Denae, Samara, Kristin (Zach), Conner and Kyle. Cherished brother of Carl (Teresa) and the late Marlene (Dave). Loved brother-in-law to Dianne (late Wally), Paul (Ruth), Sherri (late Carl), Lynette (Les), Phil (Nancy), Ann (Bill), Steve (Margaret), Glen (Angie). Best friend of Ron for over 40 years.Darrell was a respected and loved music teacher, Vice Principal and Principal, for 32 years at the Peel Board and DSBN. He was most known for his deep love of Jesus, love of family, love of music & love of Scotland. His loss is a profound well of grief for all who knew and loved him.
Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Darrell’s life will take place at Cornerstone Community Church (Orchard Campus), 434 Hunter Road, NOTL on Sunday April 28th at 3 p.m. A light luncheon will follow. If anyone would like to prepare a song or say a few words (under 1-2 minutes) there will be an opportunity during the luncheon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Eden High School SLC or to the Cornerstone Community Church Accessibility Building Fund.
Service Information
A Celebration of Life
Date: April 28, 2024Start Time: 3:00 pm
End Time:
Venue: Cornerstone Community Church (Orchard Campus), 434 Hunter Road, NOTL
https://maps.app.goo.gl/MWGBghjVWSJUu4F86
A light luncheon will follow the service.If anyone would like to prepare a song or say a few words (under 1-2 minutes) there will be an opportunity during the luncheon.
Write a Condolence
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Donations
The family of Darrell Bruce Gillespie would like you to consider placing a donation to one of the following charities:
Eden High School SLCVisit Site
Cornerstone Community Church accessibility building fund (Welcome Home Campaign)
Visit Site
Note: If you make a donation, please notify the family by posting a condolence.
To the Gillespie family:
I’m so sorry for your loss. I had Mr. Gillespie as my music teacher many years ago at North Park S.S. He was a lovely man!
Dear Chris,
This is beyond difficult. My heart goes out to you and your family as we send our heartfelt sympathy to you at this sad time.
Dear Chris and family – It was a joy to begin a friendship with Darrell this year as I joined the staff of the Ontario Mennonite Brethren. Unfortunately, I was coming aboard as his term with the ONMB board concluded, but I’m still so thankful for the conversations we had. I’m also so grateful for how Darrell served our family of churches so well as he played for our worship singing in different gatherings connected to our 2024 Convention weekend. Darrell shared his amazing musical gift with so much joy and humility and so many were blessed by his ministry. I’m truly shocked by Darrell’s passing and very sorry for your great loss. May you know the presence and comfort of Jesus in a powerful way as you grieve.
Dear Chris and Family;
I hadn’t seen Darrell since we were in our early 20’s. We grew up together on Battlefield Drive as teenagers where Darrell and Carl were my next door neighbours. Many good memories were had with the gang that hung around together. I was saddened to hear of his passing today at our coffee shop. Please accept my sincere condolences on your loss. A life well lived.
Dave Long,
Stoney Creek.
To The Gillespie Family
I drive Shuttle for Subaru of Niagara and have gotten to know
Darrell over the past 5 years. I thoroughly enjoyed conversing with Darrell each time and expressed to him how much I looked forward to our chats. I found Darrell to be a kind and decent person who brought a great
Deal of Wisdom and Knowledge to the table.
Mrs. Gillespie; I met you on one occasion and I would be remiss if I
Didn’t mention how good the muffins you baked were lol.
I Pray that your family will gradually heal and Darrell May Rest in Peace.
Grahame Abbott
Dear Chris and wonderful Gillespie family,
What a special person we all have lost! Doug and I remember all the wonderful times we spent with your family: sharing fellowship, meals, Bible studies, music, prayer group and Fair Havens. Darrell’s leadership was such a blessing to us.
Our love, prayers and sympathy go out to you all.
Dear Chris, I am shocked and saddened to read of Darell’s sudden passing. May he rest in peace, may you & all the family & friends be comforted, and may his memory always be for a blessing. Sending love and prayers.
I’m so sorry to hear of Darrell’s passing I was hoping to someday reconnect with him and thank him for his support and kindness as our music teacher in Chinguacousy secondary school.
We were blessed to have such young teachers at our school, many not much older than ourselves and I’m sure many of them just out of Teachers college and taking their first jobs.
They were hip, they were cool and Mr Gillespie was a kind and inspiring young man.
He was strict when needed but not cruel , he was passionate about music and it made that class so wonderful to us all.
I remember after school in the practice rooms he let us rehearse our songs as a rock band which really had nothing to do with his class but he wanted us to grow as musicians and people.
I’m not religious myself but I know he was an important sounding board and patient listener to those kids who were.
I’ve had a life of performing and songwriting and I’d like to think that he had a part in moulding my love of music so very long ago.
Although I never got to thank you in person , I think you know how we felt about you as a person and a man of religious faith.
My day is saddened to hear of your passing but you have indelibly left your footprint in so many of our lives
So long ago in that new high school in Bramalea Ontario.
Rest in peace Mr Gillespie you were a good man🙏🙏❤️
Jordan, Leslie, Sydney and Caleb,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Stay strong.
My condolences to your family. Soar with the Angels good Sir, you were an amazing Teacher, Music Teacher, Choir leader, Mentor. I will never ever forget you, you made a huge difference in my life. Thank you.
So sad to hear of your family’s loss. So unexpected. Will attend Sunday, and hope to be able to give hugs of condolence. Brenda and John Graham
Dear Chris and famiy,
We were so very sad to hear about the loss of Darrel. You and he were such good friends when we lived on Pierpoint Drive. Your amazing organization of street parties was fantastic. Your help to the migrant workers in the orchard and vineyards was so heartfelt and we were very glad to take part in that. Darrell was a wonderfully talented man. We appreciated knowing you both and being a close part of your community in VIrgil. He definitely will be missed by so many…
Our most sincere sympathies and love ,
Gord and Iris Marriott,, Minesing , ON
Chris and family – I can’t help but think we were meant to see you both last week or so…it had been 18 years since Darrell and I met face to face at Dale’s funeral here in Mississsuga …his sudden passing is so shocking – cherished friend of some 61 years… so many laughs together as we grew… musically, intellectually, spiritually or otherwise. Loved him to death and will never forget his friendship ❤️🙏❤️
Sending our deepest condolences to you and your family.
Warm thoughts are with all of you, Chris, Jessica, Jordan, Taylor, and Paige!
We are deeply saddened by this loss. Darrel touched so many lives. I will forever remember his musical contribution at our church. He will be deeply missed by all that knew him.
My condolences to your family, but also congratulations and celebrations for the type of man Darrell was. Mr. Gillespie was my music teacher at North Park SS in Brampton. He lived out his life mission of the power of music and faith in a significant way that still impacts me now in my role as a school administrator. One of my favourite memories of him was when I took him to a concert after I had graduated, and we spent time at a diner afterwards talking about life. It was an honour to know him and learn from him and laugh with him. I look forward to seeing him again.
Chris, …how could Esther and I ever forget how one momentous Sunday you and your beloved were Jesus to us in a moment of crisis?
Sending my condolences to the family. He was a really great principle at Eden High school when I was there (2004-2008). He was always smiling and joking. So sorry for your loss 🙁
Dear Chris & family,
Inge and I send our condolences to you and your family Whenever I hear the song Revival (Our worship team use it often when I preach) I think of Darrell and the inspiration I received when he sang the song at my ordination. Praying that God gives you and your family a peace that will sustain during this time
pastor germain & inge coulombe,
Taiwan
Dear Chris & Family,
Brook and I, Grace & Carter send along our heartfelt condolences. We want you to know how much we appreciated getting to know you and Darrell at Rice Road through the worship team ministry. We can still picture him singing at the piano with so much passion as he praised the Lord! May you be strengthened in the days ahead with the beautiful memories you shared, the support of family and friends, and the absolute certainty that you will see Darrell again and worship with him in the presence of the Lord Himself! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your whole family.
Dear Chris and all of your wonderful loving family, eight years ago Ian met his DIY partner Darrell.
Darrell and Ian would work together on their DIY new house challenges/ projects, establishing a strong and ongoing friendship, all of us becoming very close. You were both there for us when we truly needed Darrell and your help
You and Darrell were a gift to our new community, what a sad sad loss we must come to terms with now. We will miss him terribly, wish we could just have one more game after dinner.
Pushing through the days until we see you Chris.
Our thoughts are with you.
Much love, Liz and Ian.
Isabel and I, Daniella and Nick extend our condolences to you and your family, and also our sense of shock and deep loss. Darrell played such a major role in the lives of our children and we will never forget him nor his example as a man of God and trust as an educator. Both our children are now teachers and we are so grateful for the role model he ahas endowed them with. May you be comforted in a life well lived and that he is in a better place.
Dear Aunt Chris, Jessica, Jordan, Taylor, and Paige
My most sincere condolences for your loss. I’ve been praying for Darryl’s recovery since learning of his health challenges.
He was always such a positive and welcoming soul whenever our paths crossed – which has been far too infrequent since my relocation to the US.
Please know you’re all in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Deborah and I want to extend our heartfelt condolences to you Chris and your family. How significant and special it was that we should share the stage just days ago, Darrell at the piano, in service to others through music. Whether in music, education, or ministry, Darrell seized every opportunity and led with passion. May God’s peace, unlimited resources and strength sustain you and your beautiful family in the hours and days ahead.
We are truly saddened to hear about Darrell’s passing. Losing someone unexpectedly is incredibly difficult. We have informed the Rice Road Community Church family, who love you and appreciate your years of ministry service here. Thank you. We are praying for you.
Dear Chris,
Our hearts are filled with sympathy and love for you and your family. You and Darrell have been wonderful, gentle blessings to our community. We remember, with gratitude and admiration, your hospitality and its kindness. May your hearts always feel the blessing of Darrell’s love.
Chris and Family,
On behalf of Beacon Christian School, I want to offer our sincere condolences. Darrell was a man of integrity who was not afraid to ask the difficult questions.
On a more personal level, I wish I had told him that he was an important mentor in my life. I was saddened to hear of his passing. Peace and strength as you navigate the days ahead.
Dear Gillespie family…with a sad heart and many memories my arms to around you all..a Scotish saint in heaven..God be with you in the days going forewarned
To the Gillespie family,
Marlene and I are so saddened to hear of Darrell’s sudden passing this week, as we extend our most sincere condolences to each of his family. Darrell and I have shared many memories in our music careers together… in teaching, in committee, in our choral endeavours and as friends. We pray for God’s peace to surround each of you and His love to overwhelm you in the days and weeks to come… as you gather together as family and friends to celebrate Darrell’s extraordinary life.
With our continued prayers and sincere condolences,
David and Marlene Chubb
Chris,
We want to express our heartfelt sympathy to you and the family. Darrell will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
I want to express my sympathy to all of you for the sudden loss of Darrell, a much loved family member. May the Lord give each of you comfort, strength and peace during this very difficult time.
Chris, our most sincere & deepest condolences to you & your family. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
We are so sorry to hear of this. Darrell had a great heart for our little community and we thank God for him!
We are so sorry for your loss, cherish all the memories he left behind that live on forever.
Dear Chris, Jessica, Jordan, Taylor, and Paige
We were deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Darrell. Please accept our heartfelt condolences during this difficult time. He always had a heart for music and education and his warmth, kindness, and generosity have left an indelible mark on everyone he met.
May you find comfort in the love and support of friends and family during this challenging time. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Andrew & Emily
I want to offer my condolences to the Gillespies Family from Spain. He was a very kind person to me when I was on exchange in Canada at Leslie’s house. I have very good memories of him and his family. A hug to the whole family.
Dear Chris. It has been many years since we have seen you and Darrell.
My heart goes out to you and your family.
Darrell expressed the joy and peace of the Lord’s love and Bob and I cherished our times together with you both.
May you know God’s supernatural peace at this time.
With love, Anne Fisher
Chris, Jess, Jordan, Taylor, Paige and families,
We will always remember Darrell as a wonderful neighbour, musician and person.
Our thoughts and prayers are will you all during this difficult time.
I am very grateful for the time Darrell and Chris took to invest in our marriage at its beginning, which has blossomed into a fruitful 7 years thus far. I will remember and look up to Darrell as a lover of Christ, a legacy builder and a quintessential friendly giant. My sincere condolences to the Gillespie family for your great loss. Gods peace and comfort to you in this time of sorrow.
Sincerely,
Josiah & Rebekka