WALLACE, Desmond

It is with great sadness that the Wallace family announces the sudden passing of Desmond Wallace, at his new home in Kirkland Lake, Ontario.

Born on July 30, 1961 in Magherafelt, Northern Ireland, he was the son of William and Fanny Wallace. Brother to Doreen, Billy, Mervyn, Norman, Grace and Alan.

Desmond grew up in Northern Ireland, and immigrated to Toronto, Canada in 1987, where he began his own family. He was the proud father of two daughters, Stacey and Julie, and the proud grandfather of his first grandchild, Elijah.

Desmond began his career in the construction industry by pushing a broom around a jobsite. A hard worker, and eager to learn, he joined the carpenters union and learned many skills that would lead him into the role that he was most known for. Desmond was a proud Site Manager and was known in the industry for working for General Contractors such as Urbacon, Govan Brown, and Greenferd Construction.

Desmond was dedicated to his job and he was proud of all of the projects that he completed over the years. No two projects were ever the same, and he loved a good challenge. During his years in the industry, he formed many long lasting friendships, and he had an impact on so many lives. From colleagues to clients, designers to labourers, Desmond was a friend to many. Most importantly, he was willing to take the time to teach anyone who wanted to learn because he always remembered how he had begun his career.

Outside of work, Desmond spent most of his time with his beloved wife Deborah, and their dog Sam. If he wasn’t enjoying a nice cold drink on his back deck, he could often be found at the Whitby Marina, where he would meet up with his friends or take his boat out for an early morning fishing excursion. Desmond loved to enjoy the quiet mornings out in his boat on Lake Ontario, and he often witnessed the most beautiful sunrises you could ever imagine.

In April 2021, Desmond made the decision to “hang up his hard hat”, after he and Deborah found their dream home in Kirkland Lake, Ontario. With a beautiful lakefront cottage, Desmond planned to enjoy his retirement years fishing and enjoying the outdoors. Unfortunately, his retirement plans ended far too soon, after he suffered a sudden heart attack at his home on Saturday May 22, 2021.

Desmond was a great husband, father, mentor and friend, and he will be sorely missed by all. He will be remembered for his jokes, his laughter and his many, many stories!

A celebration of Desmond’s life will be held as soon as time permits.

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25 messages received

Wallace family circle in Northern Ireland and the family in Canada especially thinking off his two daughters and wife

I would like to express my sincere condolences to the wallace family circle here in Northern Ireland and in Canada..Desmond was a man who loved to laugh and joke ..His days in Desertmartin are well remembered by all who knew him ..He will be sadly missed by all that had the pleasure to say they knew him ..

Billy wallace , May 27, 2021

Sharlene Wylie

Thinking of you all at the sudden passing of Dessie. Condolences to Debbie, The 2 girls and Wallace family. Lovely man that enjoyed abit of craic and up for laugh. Didn't see him often, but he always popped into my mum and dad's (Eric and Barbara) when he came home for a visit.

Magherafelt Northern Ireland

Sharlene Wylie, May 27, 2021

DEBBIE AND FAMILY AND FRIENDS

What a man! A gentleman! He was an absolute pleasure to have known, mostly from our childhood in Northern Ireland. He was sure to pop by a visit and finish right were he and dad left off. Humour, wit and full of charm. Thinking of you all at this awful sad time and tough days ahead. Lots of love, the wylie gang xo

Laura Gregg (wylie), May 27, 2021

Stacey, Julie and the Wallace family

With our deepest condolences.

From Kim, Phil, Kayleigh and David Sikora

Kim Sikora, May 27, 2021

Deborah

I am so sorry for your loss. I am absolutely devastated on hearing the news. I had the pleasure of fishing with Desmond for over 20 years and can’t believe he is gone. He truly was an extraordinary person, the laughter he brought us all was amazing. A kind soul, I will never forget him!

Jeff Rice, May 27, 2021

The Wallace Family

Our condolences to all the family and friends of Mr. Wallace. Julie & Stacey, you're in our thoughts. Sending love to all of you.

Jonathon & Stephanie, May 27, 2021

Deborah, Stacey and Julie

You are in our thoughts and prayers.
David and I are sending each of you our love and caring wishes to let you know you are never far from our thoughts.
Desmond will be sorely missed.

David and Donna Blea, May 27, 2021

Debbie Stacey Julie and family

I was saddened to hear about the sudden untimely passing of Desmond, or Dezzie we would affectionately know him by as that is what Dad always referred to him by :)
I am the proud son of Eric Wylie who was one of his best friends in his Magherafelt days. I could always see how much Dad liked Dezzie in his face and was always very relaxed and comfortable around Dezzie. That's because, even at a young age then I knew Dezzie was a true gentleman. A man's man. In fact I knew my Dad was close to him because our first family trip ever on a plane was to Canada to see extended family and the trip included a visit to the Wallaces and we had a lovely bbq and Dad had one ( or a few) of those cold drinks on the back porch, and laughs were a plenty. Dezzie's accent had changed though :)
I'm writing this in the UAE where I am currently working and was told on the phone during a weekly / biweekly family call about the very sad news. We were all very very fond of Desmond Wallace. My thoughts and prayers go out to you all. It was nice to hear he enjoyed many sunsrises while out enjoying his passion for fishing. Hearing that put a smile on my face. Best wishes.

Keith Wylie , May 28, 2021

Deborah, Stacey and Julie

Dear Deborah,
I only heard the news last night and truth be told have only recently stopped crying. I am so very, very, sorry for your loss.
Working with Des over so many years was truly a privilege. He came to work every day (very early every day) with the knowledge and experience and attitude to make what is truly hard work seem manageable. But most of all he brought his sense of humour and love of life and if truth be told... a mischievousness, that made hard work seem fun.
Des was such a respected part of the Toronto Construction community. Many people, myself included, owe so much to the experience of working with him. He did not tolerate fools, but if you came to work every day with a willingness to work and a desire to learn Des was your ally and your mentor.
Deborah, Stacey and Julie, again I am so sorry for your loss.
Catherine, Georgia and Grace

Catherine Morrison, May 28, 2021

The Wallace Friends and Family

Terrible loss, my heart felt condolences to your family. I have worked with Des for years. He was well regarded in the Toronto Construction industry. In fact he was one of the best. He held a high standard in his job and he was the one you hoped to work with when there was a project as you knew it would be run efficiently and on time. On a weekend customer move several years ago he met my children. After engaging in a talk about the Toronto Maple Leafs with my son, he gave me some personal tickets to take my son to a Leaf game. Prior to the game he gave my son a Leaf jersey with the implicit instructions to not tell all the trades of the gift. He said he needs to maintain his gruff exterior to keep the workers in line! He had a heart of gold and we will miss him. Know that he brought great sense of humor to work and affected the lives of many. He will be missed.

Jim Stewart, May 28, 2021

Wallace Family and Friends

Our deepest sympathies at this tragic loss, no words can possibly ease your suffering but just wanted you to know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Desmond was truly one of a kind, with an amazing sense of humour and will be sadly missed.

Wayne & Debbie Murphy, May 28, 2021

Deborah Wallace & Family

My sincerest condolences to you & your family. I met Desmond about 10 years ago on the annual fishing trip just south of Timmins every Sept. Desmond always had a joke or 2 to get everyone laughing. He could tell ya a good story. A pleasure to meet & fish with.
We were chatting last Sept on the porch on the fishing trip & he mentioned his plan to retire shortly & move north.
Will miss him this year for sure !!
Again so very sorry to hear Desmond has past.

I hope there is a nice lake in heaven for Desmond to fish on.

Peter Farwell, May 28, 2021

Deborah the Wallace family and all who loved him

I feel so fortunate to have had the pleasure of knowing Desmond. I will miss his hilarious stories, his comical rants and the mischievous twinkle in his eye. He was a genuinely great guy. Fall fishing adventures will be far less special without him. Rest in peace my friend.

Larry Luckett, May 28, 2021

Deborah,Stacey,Julie,Elizabeth,and the Wallace family.

Devastated to hear of the sudden passing of Dessie,a long time close mate.Always enjoyed seeing him and Deborah when they came home on an always too short visit. As usual he would just turn up and the joking started, just like he,d never been away.Can still see him sitting, glass in hand,reminiscing about old times n telling stories with that cheeky smile always there.I know Dessie will be sadly missed by so many people, he was just that sort of person.Can only offer my deepest,deepest, sympathy to Deborah and all his family circle. You are all in my thoughts and prayers at this saddest of times.

Eric wylie, May 28, 2021

Deborah and the wallce family.

Apologies all,as the predictive text put Elizabeth instead of Elijah in my original message.

Eric Wylie, May 28, 2021

Deborah, Stacey, Julie and family

I met Desi on a jobsite in Toronto in 1986. I was a young, first-term apprentice on one of my first projects. I walked onto the job and Desi called out, "That's a nice, new, shiny toolbox!". He then confided that he had bought the same one the night before. (They were on sale at Canadian Tire). That was the beginning of our friendship, and just the beginning of all the fun we would have. Whether it was meeting tight deadlines at work, playing golf, fishing, or just having a beer, everything was more fun when Desi was around. He was a gentleman, a joker, a mentor and a rock. I can't count the number of times he made me laugh until my ribs hurt. And now, I have cried until there are no more tears. Desi never missed a sunrise, but was here for far too few.

Eric Cameron, May 28, 2021

The Wallace Family

Our sincere condolences to the Wallace family. We were so sorry to hear of Desmond's sudden passing. Desmond was a great fishing partner, story teller and had a wonderful sense of humour. The annual fishing trip will never be the same without him. He will be truly missed.

Doug and Cathy Brenham, May 29, 2021

The Wallace Family

My Condolences,

Desmond was a great man, friend and mentor. I learned a lot from him during the days we worked together and he always talked about his family and fishing. Desmond always knew how to put a smile on your face and loved to have a good laugh. I looked forward to our weekly visits on site because I always knew he would have a joke ready for me to get through my day.

He will truly be missed and always in our hearts.

Andrew Arruda, May 31, 2021

Debbie, Stacey, Julie and the Wallace family

My deepest condolences and prayers to your family.
I am saddened that my dear friend has passed, he was the very first super I've had the privilege of working with almost 30 years ago and have been working together ever since we've had many a laugh and good talks together, you will be missed but never forgotten “ding ding round one” until the day we meet again.

Jason Fernandes, June 1, 2021

Deborah Wallace Stacey & Issac

Our deepest condolences for your loss. Dessy was not only a good friend but, a mentor to me in the construction management industry. We are truly saddened by his passing. He will be in our hearts forever.

Evelyn & Stiev Johnson , June 1, 2021

The Wallace Family

My condolences to the Wallace Family,

My time in working with Desmond was brief but like many, I learned a lot in a short time and laughed just as much. He will be sorely missed in the Toronto Construction community and within the Greenferd team

Patrick Barker , June 2, 2021

Deborah, Stacey, Issac, Julie,

Our hearts and prayers are with you always, words cannot make up for the loss your feeling, Desmond was a Friend, a teacher and Mentor to so many, always remembered and never forgotten,
Our deepest sympathies and condolences to you, and you’re family during this difficult time.

Respectfully,
Gareth and Margo,

Gareth Eprile and Margo Jessop., June 4, 2021

The Wallace Family

I had the opportunity to work with Desi on several projects and it is my honor and privilege to have known him, a true and rare professional, a great teacher, a great general of people.
I would like to express my sincerest condolences to the Wallace family.

Silviu Stoian, June 7, 2021

The Wallace Family

Please accept our condolences during this difficult time. I will always remember the great times, and memories Desmond left with us during our annual fishing trips. He will truly be missed.

Jeff Cole

Jeff Cole, June 9, 2021

To Deborah and all the Wallace family.

So very sorry for your loss.Dessies passing was too soon.He will be missed.Vera and Mike Mc Conellogue.

Vera and Mike Mc Conellogue, June 9, 2021