Suddenly and tragically, Darren Peter Suszczynski of Fergus and formerly of Lalor (Melbourne) Australia, was taken from us on Wednesday, March 28, 2018 in his 43rdyear. Darren leaves behind his loving wife Erin, and their two and a half year old son, Leo. In Australia, Darren will be forever missed by his Mum Lorraine Suszczynski, father Peter Suszczynski (Michelle), sister Tracy (Vic) Cali, and nephew and niece Joshua and Maddison, along with countless aunts, uncles, cousins and lifelong friends. In Canada, Darren’s loss will be felt forever by his mother- and father-law Kathy and Vance Blackmore of Newbury, his sister-in-law Amberly (Jeffery) Wernham, and nephew Wylie, of Oakdale.
Darren had many passions that he excelled at. He loved music, and played guitar and bass guitar with rock and blues bands back home in Australia and here in Ontario. Under the guidance of his father, he learned the trade of blacksmithing and eventually went on to complete his farrier apprenticeship under his father as well, becoming one of the first graduates of the Farrier program at Melbourne Polytechnic (NMIT) in 1999.
In 2002, Darren left Australia to work in Michigan on Mackinac Island, driving carriage horses for Grand Hotel every season until 2008. This is where he met his wife Erin, and also where they later married in 2013.
Darren was an avid motorcycle enthusiast and rider, and covered hundreds of thousands of kilometers across Australia and later Michigan and Ontario on the backs of his many motorbikes. He loved military history and in 2014, he and Erin adopted the hobby of commemorating the efforts of the Australian Light Horse and Canadian cavalry in the Great War through the Canadian Great War Society and the 1stHussars Cavalry Troop.
Darren had an obvious and enviable gift with animals of all shapes and sizes, and everyone who was fortunate to have known him knew how truly gifted he was at everything he ever put his hand to.
Less than a year ago, Darren began a new trade as a carpenter for local construction company HFH Inc. This new opportunity excited him and he was so proud to get up every morning and go to work for a company that truly valued his contributions and work ethic. He was most proud of the work he had completed on the company’s new office building and workshop in Ennottville and was looking forward to building his skills as a carpenter with the HFH timber frame crew.
Family and friends may visit at the Graham A. Giddy Funeral Home, 280 St. David St. South, Fergus on Friday, April 6, 2018 from 6:00 to 9:00pm. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 2:00pm at HFH Inc., 6006 Highway 6, Ennotville, ON. In lieu of flowers, a trust fund has been set up for Erin and Leo and contributions can be made at any CIBC branch (account contact is Amberly Wernham Transit #06282 Account #7492987). Arrangements entrusted with the Graham A. Giddy Funeral Home.