Dennis Devereaux (aka
Steelheader) passed away just a couple of days ago of a sudden and unexpected heart failure. Totally unexpected as he never smoked, never drank, worked out pretty well every single day, and was in fine health. Although he was 60, he exhibited the vitality of a man 20 years his junior.
I was privileged to call this fine man "
Friend", and spent many days both out on the water and working the flows alongside him. His level of understanding of fishing and fishing was unsurpassed, truly the most intelligent and insightful angler I have known.
The quality of this fellow extended well beyond fishing, he was generous to a fault, worked extremely hard, and cared deeply for his loving Family. The sense of loss amongst his Friends and Family has been overwhelming, and thus it has taken me a day or two to collect my thoughts enough to post.
Dennis Devereaux was a firm and long term supporter of local fisheries efforts. He knew a vast amount about the local resources, and had many interesting thoughts and ideas regarding both their conservation as well as projects designed to enhance the various species numbers.
I had the occasion to speak with Dennis regarding one of the target projects of the World Fishing Network's Ultimate Fishing Town Funding, that being the construction of a new and improved Fish Ladder at Mclean's Mill to enhance coho and steelhead numbers. The plan is to include a Viewing & Information Station in conjunction with the ladder to educate and inform those who visit the site. Dennis was in firm support of this particular project, and well recognized the potential for increasing salmonid numbers by doing so.
Dennis' Family have discussed this matter, and are now requesting that in lieu of flowers, cards etc, those wishing to recognize Dennis and his love of the resource could best do so by directly contributing to this Enhancement Project. I worked with the local Enhancement Umbrella organization to set that up, and we have now established a mechanism to support this venture.
As many that knew Dennis understood, he was fascinated by all things boating, and recently finished constructing his own personal "
Dream Boat". She is a
Beauty, and quite the reflection of this Man's attention to detail and discerning eye when it came to such projects. The family informed me this morning that they plan to sell this marvelous machine (will be posted here), and place the funds thus generated into the project outlined above.
I believe Dennis would be
Very Proud to witness the unselfish and generous actions of his Family and Friends. This is the type of project he would have wanted to be directly involved in, and so will form a
Living Legacy of his Life.
When the Viewing Center is complete, we will incorporate a bronze plaque dedicating it, and a portion of the Fish Ladder in his name. I can't think of a better, more lasting Tribute to such a Fine Individual! And I am damn proud to have played some small role in helping make something positive of this painful situation.
I strongly encourage both those that knew and miss Dennis, as well as all others who wish to contribute to a very worthwhile Enhancement Project in Dennis' name, to send a donation to the following:
Checks payable to:
DADDS SocietyMemo:
Dennis Devereaux Remembrance FundAddress:
Box 1062 Port Alberni,BC V9Y 7l9We are hoping that our fellow fishermen out there will prove to be as generous with their donations as Dennis was with his time and so much more. Please get behind this one Folks! It not only is a Fine Tribute to a Fallen Member, but also helps put something back into the resource he, and all of us, so greatly cherish!
Cheers & Thanks!
Matt
