Darel Spencer McCauley
September 5, 1955 to April 21, 2023
With sadness, we announce the passing of our friend, Darel “Coach” McCauley. Darel passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of April 21, 2023, at Banff Mineral Springs Hospital. Son of Clarence and Angela McCauley. Brother to Janice, Rodney, and Faith.
Darel moved to Lake Louise from Deep River, Ontario in the 1980’s. He worked at Chateau Lake Louise until it closed for the winter season. From there he moved to Banff. Darel worked in the kitchen of many restaurants during his time in Banff and was known as a hard worker. Over the years, he participated in several community sports leagues: floor hockey, billiards, slow-pitch, curling and darts. His dart team were the Bow Valley champs more than once. Darel was also not shy about sharing his love for his favourite sports teams, the Montreal Canadiens, and the New England Patriots.
One of Darel’s greatest joys in life was coaching Tommy’s ladies’ slow-pitch team. He coached the team for over 30 years and three generations of one family. He coached his team to multiple championships and one perfect season of 17 wins and no losses. Darel was a little rough around the edges. He was known to be brutally honest with people, however, those who got to know him valued his honesty, loved his wit and his dry sense of humour. You loved him for staying true to who he was. You may have known Darel from seeing him on his porch on Marten Street where he loved to chat with locals or sitting at a park bench reading a book or doing a crossword puzzle. Darel left an indelible mark on Banff. He will be dearly missed by his friends, the ladies of Tommy’s slow-pitch team, and many Banffite’s.
We want to extend a big thank you to the staff at Banff Mineral Springs Hospital for making Darel’s final weeks as comfortable as possible.
May we meet you again in the Field of Dreams.
