It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Darren Joseph McIlwain on Monday, June 14, 2021, at South Health Campus with his wife Tammy and family at his side.
Darren lived life full throttle. He loved and spoke highly of his family and always stopped to lend a helping hand to strangers. He had energy and optimism like no other, always seeking a new adventure. He cherished family visits to California, Florida, Costa Rica - swimming in the pool and going to the beach.
He had fond memories of buying old Porsches, tearing them apart and fixing them up with the help of his friend Dave. He also spent many hours at the gym and was a strong advocate for addiction programs throughout North/Central Alberta. He truly valued the people he came to know and love.
Darren was born in Edmonton, Alberta and grew up in Norman Wells, NT and Fort St. John, BC. In his twenties, he moved to Red Deer and started fixing pumpjacks in and around Central Alberta. He tried his hand in a few businesses and then went on to DB Hydraulics which led him to High Arctic Energy Services, from there he commenced working internationally on drilling rigs with Weatherford and SANAD. Darren loved the people he worked with. To one of his friends, he said it isn’t the steel you work on that makes this job great, it is the people you meet along the way.
Darren is lovingly remembered by his wife Tammy, stepdaughter Carly, stepsons Austin (Candice), and Brayden; his mother Willa (Bob); sisters Jan (Ron), Sam (Keith), Kelly; his brothers Shawn (Diane), Reg (Sheila); Virginia and stepdaughter Danielle, as well as his in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and close friends. He is predeceased by his brother Laurie, father Edward, and brother-in-law Leo.
A family/friend picnic will be held in celebration of Darren as soon as Covid restrictions are lifted and all those who want to attend can join.
Memorial donations can be made in Darren’s name to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada or Central Alberta's Safe Harbour Society for Health & Housing.
The family would like to thank all those who supported Darren and Tammy through this difficult journey, with special thanks to Red Deer Regional Hospital, Peter Lougheed Hospital, Tom Baker Centre, South Health Campus, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada and Alberta Cancer Foundation. They went out of their way to spur Darren on throughout his battle.
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