Obituary of CLIVE DERHAM

CLIVE DERHAM

May 28, 1943 – April 25, 2019

With profound sadness we announce Clive’s death as a result of a haemorrhagic stroke.

Clive will be deeply missed by his fiancee Irene Giesbrecht; son Scott, daughter-in-law Maia and two grandsons, Layton and Ethan; his sisters, Heather Kleiner and Phyllis Gallimore; and by extended family and countless friends.

Clive was predeceased by his father Albert and mother Muriel (nee Dafoe) and brothers-in-law, John Kleiner and Bruce Gallimore.

Clive was born in Winnipeg and proudly spent most of his life in West Kildonan. In 1974, he began his career as a passionate labour advocate with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), working at the Manitoba Regional Office as a National Representative. The majority of time he represented health care workers, and he advocated strongly for his members while recognizing that to meet patient needs, both parties must create a positive employee relations environment.

Clive always approached his vocation with integrity, honesty and commitment, and his sense of humour was often the "grease" that kept things moving during tense negotiations. In 1983, he was part of the union council who negotiated the first voluntary Essential Services Agreement in North America. This landmark agreement remains the foundation of current agreements in the Health Sector. He later served on the Canadian Staff Union executive, where he formed lifelong friendships. After retiring from CUPE in 2002, he spent 17 years as chairperson for the Manitoba Rates Appeal Board and an employee representative on the Manitoba Labour Board, as well as serving on various arbitration boards.

While work occupied a lot of his life, Clive enjoyed traveling throughout North America, especially Cape Breton. He especially loved his “lake time”, and welcomed many friends and family to his cabins at Long Lake, Matlock and Whytewold. In recent years, he was particularly pleased to introduce his young grandsons to lake life.

Clive was an avid reader, an impatient fisherman, Jeopardy aficionado, coupon collector, super shopper and car salesman. He was the original Sanford, a saver and a fixer. Clive was frugal with himself, but generous to others.

We thank all involved with Clive’s care; his neighbours, Elmer and Betty, the paramedics, the H.S.C. ER staff and the GH4 staff.

Donations may be made to the Stroke Recovery Association of Manitoba or the Lighthouse Mission.

A Celebration of Life will be held in summer. Notice will be given.

“Clive, we know this is wordy ($)

but we couldn’t help ourselves!”