We Remember
BASSETT-SMITH, Derek Anthony
July 20, 1983 — July 31, 2013
Derek passed away peacefully on the 31st of July 2013 after a 7-year battle with cancer. He leaves behind a loving wife Alicia and beautiful baby girl Lily, his parents John and Joan, brothers Chris and Mike, and many other family members and friends in Canada and New Zealand, all who will miss him dearly.
Derek fought his disease bravely and despite the gross unfairness of the challenge he managed to live a full life with a large and loving group of friends and family. He was an example of extreme strength and grace under pressure, and prospered against untenable odds for longer than anyone could have predicted.
Derek was a pilot, outdoorsman, and an active and excellent RCMP officer before his illness prevented him from working further. He was supported in his battle and helped by many special people and professionals. His family wishes to express their most sincere gratitude and admiration to the RCMP and Dr. Verster for the incredible support they provided.
Derek will be missed by many but most of all by his wonderful young family. A public service will be held at the Coast Capri Hotel in Kelowna on August 17th, 2013 at 3pm and is open to all who knew Derek and would like to attend.
He is gone, but never forgotten.
For those wishing to send a condolence, photos or share memories, may do so by scrolling down this page to the area called “Share Your Condolences”.
Service
August 17th, 2013 at 3pm
Location
Coast Capri Hotel
Our deepest condolences to all the Bassett-Smith family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very sad time. Derek will be missed by our children, Matt and Christina Aaron.
My deepest condolences to your whole family. You are in our thoughts.
My deepest condolences to all the Bassett-Smith family, especially little Lily who will grow up to miss her beloved dad. My heart goes out to you all at this difficult and challenging time. You are in my prayers. Derek, you will be missed dearly by all who knew you. You had a beautiful heart. Rest in peace.
We are saddened to hear about Derek’s passing. We always admired his courage and positive energy to live life to the fullest. May your memories bring you comfort.
Chris and family, I am truly sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts.
Jan
Mike, John, Joan and Chris I am truly sorry for your loss. Derek was a true one of kind and a salt of the earth guy. Mike I know hard this has been on you travelling back and forth but I know Derek appreciated every minute. Be strong and if you need anything I am here for you.
Dane.
Mike, John, Joan and Chris…on behalf of my family I would like to offer our deepest sympathy. Derek was a true one of a kind, salt of the earth guys guy. Mike, I know how hard it must have been for you travelling back and forth but I know how much Derek would have appreciated it. You have always been a great brother and I know he always looked up to you. If you need anything from me just ask. Be strong and take care.
Your bud, Dane.
Our Hearts and thoughts are with you Alicia,Lilly and Family xoxoxo
It is with great sadness that I offer my condolences to the entire Bassett-Smith Family.
Alicia, Lily, Waters family and Bassett-Smith family, please know our hearts and thoughts are with you at this incredibly sad time.
Our deep sympathy to you Alicia, and to little Lilly and Derek’s family. We have watched you and your parents weather the storms of Derek’s illness with such compassion and grace. Our hearts are with you.
To Joan and your family, we are so sad to hear of Derek’s passing and know what a very long journey this has been for you all. Joan, your grace and strength in the past few years that we have known you is a real inspiration to anyone who is a parent of a child with a critical illness.We are thinking of you and hope to see you again in the fall. Linda and Gary
So sorry to hear about the loss if your young son. Thinking of you all during this difficult time.
I was saddened today to learn of Derek’s passing. Joan and John, please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
sharon
Joan, John… I would like to offer my most sincere condolences and deepest sympathy. As a parent, I only have a vague idea of what you all must be going through. But, life has to go on. Take care.
Mo Rajabally
Alicia and Lily, our hearts go out to you. The loss of Derek in your lives is heartbreaking but he lives on in his beautiful daughter. We wish you strength and peace as you grieve his loss.
Katie and Lennie
Sooooo very sorry to hear about Derek. He will be missed for sure but NEVER forgotten.I will think of him whenever I hear windchimes or see a German Shepherd for that matter.My thoughts are with you Alicia and Lilly and Cruiser.So not fair!!!
Alcia my condolences to you, Lily and your families. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Mike and John,
We wanted to write and let you know that we are all thinking about you, your family, and pass along our condolences. We are very sorry to hear about your loss.
Kevin Johnson
My heart hurts for you. My thoughts and prayers are with you Alicia and your precious little girl Lily and your family. May you all find comfort in each other.
We are so very saddened by your loss.I will always remember his mischeviousness and cocky grin as I used to cut his hair when he was a young lad.Our hearts go out to you all. Hedley and Misty Powell.
Alicia and families, our hearts are so sad to hear of Derek’s passing. We are sending you all lots of love and strength. We know Derek’s spirit will live on in beautiful little Lily.
Les and Alyson
John & family – my heartfelt sympathies to you. I hope that all the wonderful memories will keep your son close in your hearts
Alicia I was very saddened to hear of Derek’s passing. I know you have had a struggle for many years, it was truly inspiring to see how the two of you were able to enjoy life throughout your journey.My thoughts are with you and all of your family and friends. Val
Dear Joan & family
So sad to hear of the loss of your loved one, thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Dear Joan and family, My heart goes out to you and your family with Derek’s passing. May you be comforted by the love of family and friends and the pain relieved with sweet memories.
Mike and family – our deepest condolences. The best ones get taken first, and all we can do is remember the time we got to spend with them and cherish that. Gone, but not forgotten. RIP Derek.
My deepest condolences to Derek’s family. A soul much too young has left us, but he made is mark and won’t be forgotten. It was an honour to know you. Sleep well.
In my capacity as a prosecutor I had the pleasure of working with Derek. I felt that he was an exemplary member of the RCMP and I am profoundly saddened by his passing.
Dear John and Joan, So sorry and saddened to hear of your lose. My thoughts are with you. I’m away on the weekend so won’t be able to attend the service.
Alicia, Lily and families, our thoughts and hearts are with you.
Dear Alicia, Lily, family, friends, and yes, pets, too. I am so sorry to learn that Derek has passed away. I only spent a few hours in his company, but it was so obvious and lovely to see how he felt about you, Alicia. I can only imagine how much that love enriched your little family when Lily came along. I am thinking of you, as are all your Port Alberni friends. I hope our sympathy and affection will fly across the miles, and touch you every day. Love, Donna
Dear Joan & John and family, it has been many years, however hearing of your lose has impacted me more than you would ever know. It is with great sadness that I pass my sincere condolences on. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and Alicia and Lily. Love Lynda
It is with great sadness that we write this condolence, we are so sorry to hear of Derek’s passing – there are no words. If there is anything we can do, please do not hesitate to let us know. All of our thoughts and prayers. The Mandarino Family (Luigi, Mary, Joe, Frank, Simone and Miranda).
John, I am so very sad to hear about your son’s passing. While I’m not a parent and cannot imagine what you and your wife have gone through, I did lose one of my brothers back in 1982 and witnessed first-hand what happens to parents when they lose a child. I am so very sorry for your loss.
From Julia (your secretary many years ago)