Darren Lee SAVARD

SAVARD, Darren Lee
Darren Lee Savard passed away on July 9, 2016 at the age of 55, after his year-long fight with cancer. He is survived by his wife and partner Kim of 31 years, and his 4 children Abel, Rose (Kelsey), Hannah and Samuel and his 3 adorable grandchildren Owen, Emma and Ryland. Nothing gave Darren more joy than his family. He also leaves behind his father Wilfrid, his brothers Gerald, Gary and Michael and his wife Lori, and sister-in-law Arlene. He was deeply found of his nieces and nephews and saw almost all of them in these last days, including his 3 great-nieces. Darren had many cousins and aunts and uncles that he always made time for; he counted Kim's family as close as his own. His focus in life was his family. Darren's mother, Marcelle, passed away in October, 2014.
Darren grew up on the family farm in Carvel, Alberta. He left home to attend the University of Alberta and graduated with an Arts Degree in 1982, he later joined the military and then returned to the U of A for a second degree in Education in 1986. Darren worked as an ironworker, ran his own garden market, taught English and social studies, became a Vice Principal, followed his dreams and purchased a 1,600 acre ranch in the Sangudo area and ran a cattle operation for 10 years. He and Kim eventually returned to the Carvel farm in 2011. He helped Kim start her own professional practice and worked with her to make it a success.
He found a deep pride in growing things and was the consummate farmer and gardener; a nurturer of all things green. He spent his summers working in his yard; tending his different gardens, planting and tending his orchard, creating walking paths around the pond and through the forest and fighting with the duck weed on the pond.
He spent his winters at the hockey rink; he coached his children and dozens of others in hockey for many years - in the communities of Sangudo, Evansburg and Onoway. He coached at Enoch as a young man, while he was attending university. He had a soft spot for Enoch as this is where he had played Junior B hockey – a time in his life that he loved to talk about. He loved hockey passionately; and in his later years he became an advocate to change the coaching culture in hockey from one of abuse and intimidation to that of respect and player focused.
In his last days, Darren gathered his loved ones close and asked for prayer and he claimed forever with God in Heaven through his son Jesus Christ.
In lieu of flowers we ask for donations to the Mustard Seed Street Church 10635 96 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5H 2J4
Memorial service to be held at the Stony Plain Community Centre in Stony Plain, Alberta on Thursday evening July 14, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.