June 3, 1954 – February 7, 2018
Durksen, Daniel Bruce, died Feb. 7, 2018 in his 64th year, dearly loved husband of Rick Spies, stepfather of Jeremy (Rita) Spies, Nell Spies (Anthony Morden), Miriam Spies, brother of Bill (Gita) Durksen, David (June) Durksen (St. Catharines) and Joan (Dan) Nicolle (Fort Langley, BC), nephew to many aunts and uncles, uncle to many nieces and nephews, dear friend of Diane Blanchard. A resident of Dundas for the past 10 years he was born and raised in St. Catharines, son of Agatha and Alfred Durksen. Educated at Brock and Western Universities, Mennonite Brethren Bible College (Winnipeg) he was a wonderfully talented and sensitive collaborative musician working in the areas of church music (First Baptist Church, Ingersoll, and Grace Anglican Church, Brantford both for many years), dance (accompanist for Oxford School of Dance, Ingersoll), choral music (Grand Philharmonic Choir in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ingersoll Choral Society and others), teaching (piano, organ, vocal) and examining (Canada Conservatory). He was a superlative accompanist for both instruments and voice. A gentle soul, a caring spirit, a loving heart endeared him to all. His love for God made known in Christ shaped his every day. Visitation at Turner Family Funeral Home, 53 Main St., Dundas on Saturday, Feb. 10 from 1 to 5 pm. Funeral service at GRACE ANGLICAN CHURCH, 4 Pearl St., Brantford on Sunday, Feb. 11 at 2 pm followed by reception and Freiwilliges (come with a story or a song, a poem or a praise word). Burial Monday, Feb. 12 at 11 am in Grove Cemetery, Dundas. Donations may be made to the MCC (Mennonite Central Committee), Grace Anglican Church (Brantford) or Grand Philharmonic Choir (Kitchener).
You will be missed. Rest in peace. Dave and Carol Steele
Our sincere condolences
Hi Rick I cannot tell you how sad I am for you and your family. Daniel was such a beautiful human being. We are in southern California and won’t be back home until April. God be with you all in the coming months. Richard and Gwen Robertson
Daniel you will be greatly missed. With the twinkle in your eyes and the warm welcome of your smile we knew our day was enriched by your spirit. We will always picture you at the piano gifting us with one of your many talents. We thank God that you were and are part of our life. You live on in our stories and in our hearts.
May your family and friends be comforted knowing people care and are praying for them.
Paul and Jeanne-Beth Michaluk
I first met Dan as a piano student over 40 years ago; he was so patient and gracious with me, a first time student at the awkward age of 15. Our lives intersected again 6 years later when I was newly married and joined my husband’s church – what a blessing his organ playing brought to the services. And on very lucky occasions we were treated to the amazing voice talents of the Durksen men. The harmony between those 4 familial voices was magical! Our worlds connected once again with the marriage of mutual family members. Though I consider myself merely an acquaintance, Dan always had a smile, and a gentle presence each time we met. Deepest condolences to Rick, family members, and the many other folks who were close to Dan.
Rick, we are so sorry to hear of Daniel’s death. It has been a long and difficult journey for both of you – not easy at all.
Take comfort in your treasured memories and in knowing that Daniel is at peace with himself, those whom he loved and about whom he cared and with his God. You are in our prayers at this tough time.
Dear Rick and family,
You have been, and continue to be, in my thoughts and prayers.
If I can be helpful in any way, please let me know.
Blessings,
Peter Davison
Sympathy and Blessings from Ken, Marion (Kennedy) Graeme, Meg and Lorna MacQueen
How deeply saddened we are to hear of Dan’s passing. Dan taught my 2 daughters piano and also played for their ballet classes in Ingersoll. He was a very talented pianist and a wonderful and patient teacher. His positivity made dancing and playing the piano a very enjoyable experience. He would often entertain us by playing a couple of songs at his recitals and often joined his younger students by playing duets with them. Dan was such a beautiful person with a gentle and good heart. We will treasure our memories of him. Our deepest condolences to his family.
Daniel’s smile and laugh could brighten anyone’s day. Our condolences to Rick and the entire family. Rest In Peace my friend. Hugs from Carlos and Jake.
Dear Rick and family,with deep regret I learn of Daniel’sdeath. We will all miss his quiet smile and gentle demeanour. I will long
Remember your Danny Boy duet rendered in our kitchen. Daniel,rest in peace . God Bless Barbara .
Rick, l was so sorry to hear of Daniel’s passing. My deepest condolences to you and your family. While I didn’t know Daniel well, l felt his presence lighted up a room. The twinkle in his eyes, his smile and sense of humour immediately put people at ease, and his wonderful musical abilities were always enjoyed by us all. God be with you.
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with you.
Oh, Rick, I feel so distraught. Sixty-three seems to be far too young to have someone you love so much taken from you. You will miss so much joy in not being together in the years to come. Thank goodness, right now, I am certain that you have your faith on which to fall back.
Oh Rick, how sad it was to hear of Daniel’s passing. I did not know him well, but I knew that he brought you happiness. Our family will never forget his lovely tribute to our mother. He will definitely be missed. You and the children are definitely in our thoughts and prayers.
Jim and Patti Haygarth
Condolences to you and your families Rev.Rick.You willl remain in my thoughts and ptayers. Each of the few times I met Daniel my spirit was lifted.Malcolm.
Dear Daniel was a very special person with a faith that carried him through and enriched all who knew him. Rest in peace.
Pat Lapier
Rev. Rick: So sorry to hear of the passing of your husband, Daniel. Although I did not know him, after reading some of the condolences, he was well loved by all who knew him. It is a difficult time for you and family. I offer my prayers.,
Sincerely, Helen Coon from St. Mark’s.
Dear Rick, I am deeply saddened by the passing of your beloved. I remember the twinkle in his eye and his love of music. I remember his soaring through the tenor parts of the Hallelujah chorus at St. Paul’s. I was very fortunate to stand beside him during some of these festive occasions. You will have so many memories for the future days and weeks. Barbara and I often talked about how content you both looked when we met you at church or when we saw you on one of your walks. Love, hugs and support. Courtney
Dear Rick,
I am sorry for your loss and hold you and Rick’s family in prayer.
Rick we are so sorry to hear about Daniel’s passing. We will miss his smile, his sense of humor and his quick wit. he will be missed so. Much love Chuck & Fran
Rick…. Cindy informed us of the passing of Daniel. i’m so sorry for your loss. I’m sorry we won’t be available to see you during this sad time. May God give you comfort in this time.
Love and prayers. Karen and Dave Spies
Dear Rick, Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Daniel was indeed a gentle warrior. He will be missed but never forgotten. Oh that smile!! We wish you Peace. Jane Moore and family
Rick, I am so sorry for your loss. Daniel brought such a lovely tribute to our Mom’s funeral service. His voice and ability to play still resonates in my mind. I know your time together was not long enough but I am sure the time as short as it was, filled your heart with joy. May the fond memories you shared together hold tight now and forever. Thinking of you and your family. Donna Williamson
Dan will be missed by many. I was blessed to have danced for many years alongside his talent on the piano at Judith Coleman’s Oxford School of Dance. He always made us smile. He would either be laughing at us being silly in class or laughing with us. His talent was amazing and I feel honoured I got to listen to it every week for years. My condolences to his family and close friends.
Daniel was a good family friend and a gentle, beautiful person. We will remember his laughter, his keen but gentle wit, his grace and sincerity, his sense of fun, his deep faith, and so many, many other things that can’t be named but made Daniel so unique. Our sincerest sympathies to all his family. God’s grace and peace and comfort be yours.
Lisa Onbelet and Mom, Henny.
Mr. Dan was my first piano accompanist at Judith Coleman Oxford School of Dance over 15 years ago. He brought music to my life at such an early age and influenced me to pursue a career of performing arts. I’m now studying at Sheridan College and will keep you in my thoughts as I continue my studies. The greatest love,
Abby Grass, 18.
Our sincere sympathy on the passing of Daniel. He played the organ at our wedding at First Baptist Church in 2004.
He had a God given talent. He will be missed.
Blessing,
Ted and Bonnie Hunt
Daniel was always smiling and gracious and funny. He will be missed by all who knew him, even if in short acquaintance. I first met Daniel at a family getogether, then surprisingly met him again when he was taking classes at Western University. Occasionally we would meet, in passing, but always stopped to chat for a few minutes.
Rick, lots of love and prayers for you and all who will be with you through this time. Liz Bailey (part of the Duerksen family).
Our condolences. It was a pleasure to work together with Daniel at First Baptist Church Ingersoll. We grieve the Loss of Daniel – a man of great talent and someone I considered a friend and colleague.
Condolences to Rick and family… Dan was very dear to me in college. I thought of him often through the years, particularly when I started playing organ in church again after a long hiatus. I regret not having stayed in better contact and am very sad to hear of his passing.
Rick, I am so sorry. It was a great pleasure to meet Daniel briefly this summer. Allyson and my prayers are with you and your family during these days.
A gentle, kind person is exactly how I remember him. I am so sorry that you will not have many more years together.
Dear Rick. I am so sorry for your loss. You two always seem very happy. You will reflect on great memories. You do have your faith to fall back onto. May Daniel R.I.P. Sincerely Carol Rose ? (Britt)
We are so saddened to hear of Daniel’s passing. He gave heart and soul to the music and choir at First Baptist Ingersoll for many years. His servant heart and willingness to do any and every task made him a wonderful person to work with for Pastor Thom. He was a dear friend and made a deep impression on our entire family.
Daniel, You will be dearly missed, I loved passing your door and hearing lovely music. No more pain my friend.
God bless you, and rest in peace
Fran and Bob Wilson
To Rick and the Spies family. I am so terribly sorry to hear of this news. Daniel brought light to any room and was one of the kindest souls I have met. It was a blessing to have known him and I know many others will feel this same way. I am thinking of you all and wish you endless love and support during this extremely difficult time. My sincere condolences to the family.
Rick, I am so sorry to hear of Daniel’s death. Remembering the generous and grace-filled hospitality you both offered for our clergy lunches several years ago. Prayers for you and all who loved Daniel.
Rick i’m so sorry for your loss, Daniel was a great guy who was always willing to help. He had so much passion for music. I will miss our e-mail chats and updates. Rick you made Daniel so happy. You will always be in my heart. RIP my friend
We remember Daniel as a kind, compassionate and humble man. Our family first knew Daniel when he came to serve as music director at First Baptist Church in Ingersoll. I believe he was there for over 20 years. As accompanist at Oxford School of Dance, I remember Daniel telling us how he winked at our granddaughter to encourage her when she went on stage for the first time, and how her responding smile gave her confidence to be the best ‘teapot’ she could be in Alice in Wonderland! As accompanist at the Tillsonburg Senior Centre Singers, Daniel made our rehearsals fun and was a great help to our tenor section.
After Daniel had moved from the community, a chance encounter on a flight from Toronto to Manchester some years ago, was both a surprise and a joy as we shared news over coffee in the airport.
Our sincere condolences to all the family. Maurice & Jackie Hughes
Daniel was truly gifted with his musical talent and we will always have the memory of him playing for our wedding. His music always gave you a feeling of warmth and welcome as you entered the First Baptist Church and he was always happy to greet new members and make them feel a part of his church family. I will always remember how he welcomed me with open arms when I first came to church with Nantha and how happy he was when she told him of our engagement. We always hoped the same for Daniel that he meet someone as well to share his life with because he certainly deserved someone to share life with. We had lost touch when he left Ingersoll but we are so very happy to know that he did find that special person in Rick and also had a large family to share his gift of great kindness with.
Our condolences to you Rick and all of Daniel’s living family. Know that Dsniel will be watching you from above alwats and be open to little signs of his presence each day, like the hearing mudsic when there is none heard by others or the smell of his cologne. We see signs of our beloved lost and I am sure Daniel will let you know from time to time that he is watching.
He was a gentle soul We got to know him at a few family weddings and really enjoyed his sense of humour. Our last memory of him was at my daughters wedding dancing to Michael Jacksons Thriller where he knew all the dance moves. I think he had a good time dancing with his favourite partner.
We will miss him
John, Sherry, Chris, Lauren and Mat, and Patrick.
He sparkled so brightly…
I’m so sorry for your loss and am thinking of all of you during this very sad time. Even though I only shared his company a handful of times, I will always remember Daniel’s laugh and his warm, bright spirit. Holding you all in my thoughts and prayers,
~Adam Mason
Rick, Miriam, and family,
Thinking of you on this snowy evening. May memories of laughter, music, and shared delight warm you,
How blessed were we to have your talent as a soundtrack to our lives in dance, Dan!
You will always be remembered with much fondness.
Deep condolences to Dan’s family and community.
He brought joy and inspired countless lives through his love of music.
May you take comfort in knowing that he lives on in that way.
I will miss you. I will never forget our friendship, love of Architecture time immersed in Theatre, the outdoors and of course Music. I dedicate Symphony No. 6 (Tchaikovsky) as my goodbye to a great man.
Dear Rick and family, Thank you Rick for calling me to let me know the evening Daniel passed on to glory. I still feel a bit in shock though it wasn’t unexpected. I just loved Daniel so much.
Daniel fought a good fight and you were such a brave, compassionate and faithful companion. I am so sorry I won’t be there for the funeral but I am thankful I got to visit last month.
Looking over family photos brought so many wonderful memories. The Vote and Durksen families spending birthdays, holidays and vacations together. Expo 67, summer cottage adventures, packed backseats on the trip to Florida, rollkuchen and arboose at Oma and Opa’s. And of course music, always music, For Balmy Sunshine round the table before meals, Tijuana Brass, the Korean Children’s Choir on the record player, family duets, quartets, mini choirs around the piano with Daniel singing and playing.
I look forward to a family reunion one day in heaven and all of us taking part in the grandest choir of all as we sing endless praise to God our Saviour. Love, Janice
Daniel was my piano teacher for many years in Ingersoll. I will always remember his patient kindness and teaching, especially considering how unprepared I could sometimes be for my lessons! When I look through my old piano books I see all of his notes in the margins, urging me to play a certain passage with “excitement!”, or “mystery”, and all sorts of other colourful descriptive words. I was fortunate to have such a wonderful, enthusiastic teacher, and am very grateful for the love of music he imparted to me. My sincerest condolences.
Dear Rick, my heart is north with you and all my Grace Church family as you celebrate the life of the gentle soul we knew as Daniel. He always felt fully supported at Grace, both personally and professionally and we, in turn, were blest by his uniquely meaningful music ministry and quirky sense of humour. I always felt honoured to have Daniel as my accompanist for he was a consummate music aficionado; never formidable, yet always exacting the highest of standards. Daniel’s heart was pure and his selflessness so contagious that each parting left me wanting to be a better person. Simply defined, Daniel was a true disciple of Christ, and he was never happier than when you entered his world. Only another faithful servant of God could have given Daniel the calm passing of such sweet music you provided. I shall remember Daniel well and often, and pray God bless you as you process your profound loss. *Big Huggs*
Cher
Dan was an amazingly sweet man who would smile and chuckle us through dance class. He has a special place in so many of my dance memories.
Daniel Durksen and Tuesday night ballet class at Judith Coleman Oxford School of Dance – a perfect pairing, a marvelous tradition. Dan was there for every ballet exam and every piano exam with humour and grace and sometimes, if we were lucky, homemade shortbread. We will miss him. And now, when I happen upon Leszek Mozdzer’s reworkings of Chopin, or Grieg’s choral music, I will remember that it was Dan who helped shape these musical tastes in the first place. With tremendous thanks and sincere condolences.
Sincere condolences to the immediate and extended family.
You will be missed Daniel. You were a wonderful man who was so kind-hearted and will always have a very special place in my heart. Until we meet again.
Dear Rick and family, sincere condolences at this sad time. It was a pleasure to have known Daniel, a kind, caring, gifted and fun loving soul. May the many fond memories you have of Daniel bring you peace at this time.
God’s abundant blessings. Win and Ted Czum
We give thanks for his vision and talents. Daniel’s role in co-founding Ingersoll Choral Society was a true gift to our community and is but one of his many legacies.
We trust in our merciful God to surround Daniel’s family, and Rick in particular, with grace and love. We take comfort knowing God’s divine assurance that this beautiful, kind and noble servant is at rest.
Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei. Requiescat in pace. Amen.
So sorry for your loss. Daniel shared many a Christmas Eve with us. We shared a lot of laughter. His kindness and gentleness will be remembered , but mostly his smile and laugh. Until we meet again.
My view of Daniel was limited, and admittedly formed through youth and years and years of Durksen-Voth-Duerksen family gatherings. But, he always struck me as a pure-hearted guy. Deepest condolences to Rick and the rest of the family.
Rick, I have only just learned of Daniel`s passing. May I extend my deepest condolences? I will never forget Daniel`s kind way of leading the choir at Grace Church, nor how he pulled more of the best from us. I learned so much about music from him. It is due to his unwavering faith in me, that I am now a Cantor in my home church in Forest ON. Even more, I will always remember the joy in Daniel`s eyes and the way they lit up when I fixed his Harry Rosen coat for him. I am honoured to have met such a wonderful man on this journey called life. May God bless you Rick, with memories to hold, friends with whom to share them and His loving arms to comfort you as you move forward.
My condolences to all of Dan’s family, loved ones, and especially his husband, Rick. I have many fond memories of sharing classes, Sunday night faspas, and choral experiences with Dan at MBBC. He was a talented, kind hearted soul.
Jan Minty (Wanamaker)
My condolences. May you experience God’s comfort and peace.