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Faith Hone
Faith Hone 1942-2026
Faith joined FYC in the 1960’s with husband Jack Hone. They raced on Y-Flyer #997 which Jack and his brother Heinz had built. Faith learned to race as well and her children proudly recount that their Mom even raced on the Y when she was pregnant! After moving to Waterloo in the early 1970’s, Faith and Jack raised their children on Y-Flyers at FYC and then at sailing clubs in the Waterloo area. She loved meeting other sailors at regattas across Canada and the US. After retiring from racing, Faith still helped at regattas, making meals, serving coffee and warm drinks, and was always ready with a towel for those who had gotten “dumped”. Fair Winds and Calm Seas Faith!
Below is her Obituary:
Our dear Mom, Faith Hone, passed away peacefully at age 83 on Thursday, March 26 at Lisaard House Hospice, Cambridge with family by her side.
Faith was raised on a farm in West Nissouri township near London. She was the middle of 9 children born to Edith and Ralph Henshaw. She loved her big family and the many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends nearby, and in the “north” where her mother was from.
At 16, she moved to London to go to work. She met Jack Hone (died 2015) and they married in 1965. Faith was the beloved Mom to Carleen (Jim MacKenzie), Lisa King (Richard), and Carl Edward “Ed” who all grew up sailing at Fanshawe Yacht Club. Carleen proudly recounts that her Mom raced their Y-Flyer sailboat while pregnant with the kids!
In 1973 Faith and Jack moved their family to Waterloo and opened K-W Photo which was in business in Waterloo, and later Kitchener, for 30 years. Faith was a great people person and valued her friendships with many of their customers. This was true when she drove for Jack’s Limo, worked at Canadian Tire, and finally worked at Home Depot, maintaining good friendships with customers and co-workers until the end of her life.
Faith was a very proud Oma (Grandmother) to Colin King (fiancé Marla Betts), Amanda Nutt (nee King with husband Kris), Jacob Hone (girlfriend Emily Currie), and Jordan Hone.
Faith was curious and loved adventures. She travelled when she could whether it was meeting fellow sailors at regattas across Canada and the US, van camping in Florida, heading overseas to Germany, Ireland and the UK, enjoying summers with family in Port Carling or Killarney, visiting the West coast to see the BC family or driving to the East Coast on a “girls’ trip” with Carleen, touring Savannah by Segway at age 73, kayaking in the Florida waterways or cruising & fishing in Georgian Bay in recent years, or quiet visits to the Butterfly Conservatory. Faith was game for anything! One of her greatest adventures was flying in a yellow 1942 Harvard 2-seater airplane, part of the Waterloo Warbirds collection, just a few years ago at age 80! She and the pilot rolled and looped as she laughed with delight.
Faith was also a huge Toronto Blue Jays fan! She followed last year’s World Series run with great excitement and was stunned recently when she got a special shout-out from Blue Jays Alejandro Kirk and Ernie Clement!! GO JAYS!
In 2019, cancer reared its ugly head again. Her oncology team found a new immunotherapy treatment trial to try tackling her form of cancer. She was one of the first in Canada to try the treatment. Her feeling was that even if it didn’t work for her, they would be able to gather important data to eventually help others. In the end, the Immunotherapy suppressed regrowth of her cancer for five years after she had completed traditional therapies.
Our family is very thankful for the excellent and compassionate care she received over the past few months at home, and then in the past couple of weeks at Lisaard House Hospice in Cambridge…a place with the love of Ireland at its heart, which Faith adored being part Irish herself.
Faith was so happy with all the visits, and good wishes via video calls, emails, messages, etc. in recent months from family and friends. She cared about people, loved to laugh, and just wanted everyone to be happy, never thinking of herself.
Cremation has taken place. There is no funeral planned at this time as Faith “didn’t want any hoopla”. Fair winds Mom! You’re off on your next adventure!
Thank you to Dr. Knight, Nurse Practitioner Christine and the whole team at the Grand River Hospital Cancer Centre, and Dr. J. Kuk…her hero, the LHIN Waterloo Region Paramed Staff nurses & PSWs, The K-W Hospice palliative care team, and finally to Dr. Tara Somerville for your care and compassion.
If you’d like to make a donation in Faith’s name, we are happy to recommend Lisaard House Hospice, as the House is run partly on donations, or the Waterloo Region Health Network Foundation for the Grand River Hospital Cancer Centre.
May the blessings of light be upon you,
Light without and light within.
And in all your comings and goings,
May you ever have a kindly greeting
From them you meet on the road.
Click Here to view her Obituary online
Posted April 8, 2026
John de Boer
John de Boer 1936-2026
“John was a great guy and quite a keen competitor on the water especially in Wayfarers. A serious sailor, he was always generous too. I’ll never forget when he lent Jim his iceboat one winter to sail so fast across frozen Fanshawe Lake! So encouraging! Our deepest condolences to Dolores and the family. Fair Winds, and following seas John!” Carleen Hone & Jim MacKenzie, Fanshawe Yacht Club.
Below is his Obituary:
It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of John William de Boer. His wife Dolores was the love of his life for almost 45 years. John was a loving father of Michele Dicker and son Ken de Boer. John in his 90th year passed away peacefully, leaving behind a life full of stories, laughter, and well-lived moments.
Born in Sneek, Friesland, John immigrated to Canada in 1957 at the age of 18 with his family beginning a new chapter that would shape the rest of his life. He built his life with determination, a strong work ethic, and a personality that was anything but quiet. John loved his career at Northern Telecom for 34 years.
John had a love for sailing and was the happiest out on the water, enjoying the freedom and occasional adventure it brought. At home he spent time in his gardens and loved his manicured lawns. His love for his dogs was immeasurable and they were lucky to be part of his world.
He also had a special connection to Cuba, where he loved not just the destination, but especially the people. Their warmth and spirit matched his own, and those trips brought him great joy.
John will be remembered for his sense of humour, his strong presence, and the way he lived life on his own terms. He wasn’t one to sit quietly in the background, he made his mark and those who knew him will have plenty of stories to prove it.
He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew and loved him. John passed right where he wanted to be, in his home with his beloved wife, and his adored dogs.
Click Here to view his Obituary online
Posted April 8, 2026
Derek Innes
Derek Innes 1937-2026
“Derek was a passionate sailor for many years at Fanshawe Yacht Club. He was competitive on both scows such as Y-Flyers and multi-hulls such as Dart catamarans. Derek loved to introduce folks to our sport and was always willing to take first-timers for a sail. He and Marj had many wonderful adventures and we looked forward to his frequent newsletters which were so entertaining. He was a mainstay at FYC and though he loved their life once they moved to BC, we missed he and Marj a lot. Fair Winds Sailor!” Carleen Hone & Jim MacKenzie, FYC
“His enthusiasm was infectious, as an experienced sailor, his hook was a ride, if not quite then a lesson, then arranging a loaner, then the final presenting an opportunity to purchase one from hundreds of Dart catamarans he helped to import to Canada, just so you could further sail along with him and Marj in many regattas or adventures that many took and we are surely still undertaking. Truly gave his all to the experience of sailing.” Sue & Rick Goldt, FYC
Below is his Obituary:
Derek Innes, who passed away at age 88, was a passionate sailor, devoted educator, and loving family man known for his infectious zest for life. For 30 years, he taught Geography and History, leaving a lasting impression on generations of students—many of whom stayed in touch decades later.
Derek embraced life fully through his many passions, especially sailing, but also motorcycling, photography, and home movie-making. He loved traveling the world with his wife Marj and spending summers in the Thousand Islands. A natural leader with charisma and enthusiasm, he inspired many to take up sailing and had a gift for bringing people together. His creativity and deep love for family were reflected in the “family happenings” newsletters he shared with loved ones far and wide.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Marj (née Newton); his children Greg (Dianne) and Sandra (Rob Gentleman); and his grandchildren Isla, Olivia, and Sam. He is also survived by his siblings Nini, Brian, and Gord, as well as his nieces and nephews Kim, Jen, Andrea, Cedric, Stephanie, Tyson, Lindsay, Ed, and Sue. He was predeceased by his parents, Marjorie and Edward.
Derek will be remembered for his joie de vivre, his deep love for his family, and as a strong yet gentle soul, hard-working, kind, generous, and deeply caring.
When the wind rises and whitecaps form on the water, he will be fondly remembered. Carpe Diem
Click Here to view his Obituary online
Posted March 23, 2026
Regina Currie
Regina Currie 1949-2026
Regina was a lovely, welcoming person who made rooms light up. Wife of former FYC Commodore Steve Currie, she brought a smile and genuine warmth whenever she visited FYC. We wish you Fair Winds and Following Seas Regina!
Below is her Obituary:
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Regina Margaret Currie (née Good), beloved wife of Steve; most wonderful mother to Shemain (Jason), Bonnie and Andrea; grandmother to Andrew, Fox and Olivia; and sister to Loretta and Fred. Regina was predeceased by her parents and her dear brother, Gerry.
Regina was born on March 13, 1949 in Sarnia, Ontario to Florence and Edward. Regina later met the love of her life, Steve, at just 19 years old and they went on to have three daughters. Regina wanted to be two things: a mother and a teacher. She passionately did both, later becoming a high school teacher, spending most of her career in London, Ontario.
Regina had endless patience and was an incredible listener. She always knew what to say, even in the most difficult situations, talked to everyone, and had a genuine way with people. She was spirited and determined, too, fighting cancer until the bitter end, never willing to give up.
Regina will be sadly missed by her family, who will have an irreparable hole in their hearts from her loss. Her family takes comfort in knowing she had a wonderful and beautiful life, having lived out many of her dreams.
Click Here to view her online Obituary