John William Derzaj

John William Derzaj (German name - Hans Wilheim Derzaj)

A lifelong ski enthusiast and dedicated ski instructor, John lived a long and healthy life outdoors from the time he was a little boy in Germany where he sold mushrooms to buy skis to spending his time skiing, biking, swimming and playing tennis at his beloved Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ontario where he passed away peacefully at the age of 89.

He is survived by his wife Annie, stepdaughter Andrea Schreiner Stapff and stepsons Arndt and Arlen Schreiner. He will be deeply missed by his nieces Melinda Manson (Michael), Cindy Derzai (great nephews Kyle and Cameron) and Wendy Derzai Minnett (Dave) and his former sister-in-law, Karen Stokes. He is predeceased by his first wife, Odette and his brother Matthew Derzai. He also leaves behind many good friends, and those who knew him well at Deerhurst Resort and Arrowhead Provincial Park.

John was born in Erlangen, Germany on September 16, 1936. He spent his childhood taking the train to school and enjoyed the outdoors picking mushrooms and blueberries. He would catch speckled trout near Hittau, Austria and Wolfie, his German Shepherd would always be found nestled beside him at night. Chimo, his second German Shepherd, spent many years by his side on Peninsula Lake in Huntsville.

He went to high school in the 1950’s in Niagara Falls where he later got into the sightseeing business with a number of local motels and hotels. He ran city tours in the 1960’s during the summer and would spend his winters skiing in Banff and Lake Louise. He travelled to Europe on a number of occasions, skiing in Switzerland and surrounding areas.

In the 1960’s, he found the place where he would spend the rest of his life, Peninsula Lake in Huntsville and later, Deerhurst Resort became home for him. He built a house on “Pen” Lake that his brother Matt designed, where he enjoyed boating, windsurfing, paddle boating and practicing his golf shots. Many years were spent there before he moved to Deerhurst Resort which he loved. He couldn’t talk about Deerhurst without boasting about all the “amenities”. It was truly a special place for him.

He loved his speedboat and took great pleasure taking his family members for many boat rides on “Pen Lake” and on many camping trips with his brother and family in the 1970’s in Algonquin Park.

After losing his first wife, Odette to cancer in 1985, he married Annie in October 1987 whom he had known through the ski business. They spent many happy years travelling to Florida and to the Caribbean. They shared a love of sports and the outdoors and enjoyed their home on Pen Lake, taking in the views of the sunrises and sunsets over many years. He was always by her side.

Upon moving to Huntsville, he spent almost 30 years offering tours for the Holiday Inn and Deerhurst as well as supplying guests with a variety of watersports equipment. His love of the outdoors and skiing led him to operating Tally Ho Winterpark where he owned and operated the ski hill and ski shop. He took great pride sharing the fact he had crossed the top of that hill over 75,000 times. He shared his expertise and love of skiing with people of all ages over many years of teaching.

He retired in 1991 and would spend the next 34 years doing what he loved best, travelling and living his best life outdoors. He and Annie travelled to Cuba numerous times as well as to Europe and Slovenia. They also enjoyed skiing at Whistler, Vail, Beaver Creek Resort, to name a few. Even in his later years, he was an avid cross country skier and spent many hours skiing and hiking in Arrowhead Park. During the fine weather days, he couldn’t be missed cycling on his electric bike. During a recent trip to Arrowhead Park in the fall of 2025, park staff asked him when he would be coming back to ski.

He was well known to the staff at the Visitor’s Center and at the gym, the pool and restaurants at Deerhurst Resort. Let it be known he thought the world of you all. Huntsville was a place which he truly loved, and we thank Huntsville for loving him back.

Annie and all of his family will miss John/Uncle Johnny so very much. We will always remember his vitality, sense of adventure, love of life and his deep love of the outdoors.

The ski trails stopped calling,

The bike’s in the stand,

The condo is quiet,

The memories in hand.

You brought smiles to our face

With love in your heart,

Huntsville will miss you,

You made life an art!

In our hearts forever!

September 1936 – December 2025