“He was a charismatic person with strong values who liked to lift up everyone around him, and to help those in need. He maintained his positive energy to the very end.”
– from Darrel Mack’s obituary
The Yellowknife Community Foundation (YCF) has announced the Darrel Mack Memorial Fund, which will support food security for young people and single parents in the Northwest Territories.
“Darrel clearly made a deep impact on his community, and it’s evident how much love he left behind,” stated Foundation Board Chair Sara Brown.
“We’re honoured to help memorialize him through the creation of the Darrel Mack Memorial Fund, and we look forward to supporting young people and single parents with food security once the fund begins granting.”
Darrel, a member of the Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation, was diagnosed with stage four esophageal cancer in early 2021. He passed away at 54 on March 30 this year, more than four years after that diagnosis.
True to his fighting spirit, which was shaped in part by his lifelong love of boxing, Darrel battled courageously for four years in what he called “the fight of his life.”
A recent Cabin Radio article stated that Darrel and his wife Leela co-wrote the lyrics to her song North Star Calling, which includes the especially meaningful line, “Searching for light through darkest days.”
A celebration of Darrel’s life took place at the Yellowknife Multiplex’s DND gym on June 21.
Your donation to the Darrel Mack Memorial Fund helps carry on his legacy of care and support for the North.