Obituary of Derek Stephen Roberts

It is with profound sadness that the family of Derek Stephen Roberts announce Derek’s passing on April 12, 2025 in Halifax, NS at the young age of 66-years while surrounded by loved ones. Derek was born January 26, 1959 in Halifax, NS and was a confident, kind, caring, intelligent, successful, funny, and generous man. He was a loving son, sibling, husband, father, and grandfather; successful businessman, manager, and CEO; professional billiards player; and an outdoorsman.

Derek will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by his loving parents: Kenneth and Marilyn; wife: Glenda; children: Derek Jason (Melody), Lyndsey (Zach), and Katelyn (Robbie); granddaughter: Quinn (who he was a “Papa” to); and siblings: Darrell, Debbie, and Kenny; among many other family and friends.

Derek grew up in Westphal and Dartmouth, NS. In his teens and young adulthood, he would race and repair cars; play billiards; and trap and hunt animals, including wild bears who he would transport away from businesses before developing a passion for the dairy industry. He also regularly played billiards and competed in local and national billiards competitions.

His son, Derek Jason (“boo”), was born in 1980 and was his pride and joy while in 2000 he met Glenda who would become his wife/love of his life. He won countless trophies for his skills at 8- and 9-ball and snooker and loved and followed the sport throughout his life. When he was 26, he moved to NB and became plant manager of an immature, struggling company named Dairytown Products. Derek worked countless hours to save the company before climbing the corporate ladder to become its visionary General Manager/CEO, where he worked most of his life. His “family”, “open door”, innovative style of business management has been written about extensively in “The Dairytown Dream” (book) as it rapidly turned the company into a multimillion dollar corporation and worldclass competitor today known as Agropur Cooperative (Dairytown). His company contributions were recognized by winning the Grand National Championship for Salted Butter at the Canadian National Exhibition, the World Championship Cheese Contest, and other awards. In 2016, Derek was further honored when the NB Dairy Farmers inducted him into the Dairy Hall of Fame. Derek enjoyed spending time with family and outdoors, traveling to enjoy the sun with his wife and friends, steering 4-wheelers and snowmobiles through the woods of NB with his wife and son, and driving motorcycles across NB, Canada, and the USA with his wife. Derek retired in Porter’s Lake, NS where he spent his final days with close family.

Cremation has taken place under the care and direction of Ettinger Funeral Home, Shubenacadie. A private celebration of life will be held on April 19; at Derek’s request, no service will be held.

The family wishes to send special thanks to the staff at the QEII Health Sciences and Colchester East Hants Health Centers for their care and compassion.

Condolences, words of comfort and memories of Derek may be shared with the family at www.ettingerfuneralhome.com

– Derek/Dad/Bear, may “Tiny Bubbles” always remind us of you. We love you now and forever.