HOLLOWAY, Derek W. - Former Teacher and Social Worker, Derek Holloway passed away peacefully at St. Joseph's Health Centre in Toronto on August 30, 2017 after a short but courageous battle with cancer.
He will be sorely missed by his children, Elizabeth and James Holloway (Susan) and by his grandchildren, William and Harold.
He's survived by his sister Valerie Colley (nee Holloway) (Don) and their child Jane Barclay (nee Colley).
Born June 14, 1929 in London, England to his parents William Holloway and Constance Holloway (nee James). A child-witness to WWII, he was twice evacuated to the countryside to avoid the bombing of London. Serving the British Army from 1950-1953 with the 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars, he missed his mobilization to the Korean conflict, hospitalized due to injuries from a motorcycle crash whilst on maneuvers.
An accident he was, in hindsight, rather grateful for Derek left England for Canada and settled in Toronto.
He worked in a variety of trades before taking a job at High Park where he met his future wife, Lorraine Berry. After navigating the quagmire of inter-faith dating in 1950s Toronto (Lorraine was Catholic, Derek Anglican...), they married on August 27, 1960 and bought a home in Thistletown. Finding employment as a Social Worker at St. Christopher House and the YMCA in the 60s, he played himself in the NFB short "You're No Good," directed by George Kaczender, starring a young Michael Sarrazin in his first roll. Attended the University of Toronto in 1969, he obtained a BA and a teaching certificate, teaching history at Thornlea and Thornhill S.S., respectively.
His true loves were always nature and books. He loved his trees, birds, and the quiet solemnity of the dutiful gardener. He is preceded in death by his wife Lorraine Holloway (nee Berry), who passed away on December 20, 2001.
An informal gathering of friends and family will be held at Trinity College, 6 Hoskin Avenue, Combination Room on September 30, 2017 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
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