Obituary of Darren Rice

Passed peacefully away in the company of his loving family, after a courageous battle with cancer, Darren Paul Rice, age 53 years, of Red Head Cove, on March 2nd, 2020 at Dr. A.A. Wilkinson Memorial Hospital in Old Perlican. Darren was born in Red Head Cove to Paul and Sheila Rice on November 6th, 1966. He was one of four sons. He married Joanne Hatch in 1991 and together they had two children Darrell and Deanne. He lived in Red Head Cove his entire life and made his living on the sea as a fisherman alongside his brothers and his son Darrell. Darren loved his life in Red Head Cove, he loved to wake up to the sound of the ocean and to gaze daily upon the view from his home in the Cove. Darren was a gentleman and he was respected, loved and admired by all who knew him. His love for his family is immeasurable and while they will miss him dearly his legacy will live on in them and in the values, he installed upon them. Darren was a community man who loved to volunteer his time and talents to all who were in need. He spent countless hours sharing his music and song with so many and he will be ever so fondly and lovingly remembered for this. Darren also had a special relationship with all the little children he came in contact with – he had such an amazing way with his little nieces and nephews and nothing made them happier than a visit from uncle Darren. Darren Rice while he may have been taken from this earth in what many of us would call a short time, the impact he made in his 53 years was remarkable and everlasting. Rest in Peace Darren until we meet again. Predeceased by his parents: Paul and Sheila Rice; mother-in-law: Carmel (O’Leary) Hatch; and other members of the Rice and Hatch families. Leaving to mourn with fond and loving memories are his loving wife of 28 years, Joanne (Hatch) Rice; son: Darrel Rice and daughter: Deanne Rice, both of Red Head Cove; brothers: Boyd (Dionne) Rice, Frankie (Kim) Rice, and Mario ( Melanie) Rice; father-in-law: Joseph Hatch; brothers-in-law: Tony (Florence) Hatch, Brian (Josephine) Hatch, Bruce (Melvie) Hatch, Carl (Stephanie) Hatch, Keith (Dale) Hatch, Kevin ( Joanne) Hatch; sister-in-law: Lisa Hatch; as well as aunts, uncles, special nieces and nephews, cousins and a large circle of very special fiends. The family would like to extend an appreciation to the Doctors and Nursing Staff of Dr. A. A. Wilkinson Memorial Hospital for their very professional care and to the Nursing Staff and Doctors of the Dr. H Bliss Murphy Cancer Centre for all their assistance throughout Darren’s illness. A special thank you to Dr. G. Nel, Dr. Laing, and to Nurse Edwina Noonan. Resting at Noel’s Funeral Home, Main Highway, Western Bay on Tuesday, 2:30 to 5:00 p.m., 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Then resting at Assumption Roman Catholic Church, Bay de Verde on Wednesday, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Funeral Mass to take place on Thursday, March 5 at 11:00 a.m. from Assumption Roman Catholic Church, Bay de Verde. Cremation to follow. Inurnment to take place at a later date. As an expression of sympathy, flowers gratefully accepted, or donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Please visit noelsfuneralhome.com to sign the memorial guest book.