Paul "Bernie" DeLorme

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Paul Bernard DeLorme, known affectionately by many as Bernie.

Bernie passed away with his son Darren by his side in Calgary at Intercare Chinook Hospice on Friday May 23rd, 2025. Bernie's battle with mesothelioma cancer began in September 2024. He was hospitalized December 19th 2024, and spent the remainder of his life in various hospitals and medical facilities battling this aggressive disease.

Bernie was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada on July 27th, 1942, to Anne, and Paul Joseph DeLorme. He is predeceased by his daughter Donna Lynne DeLorme (1968-2015), his parents Anne and Paul Joseph DeLorme, and brother-in-law David Hirst.

Bernie is survived by his son Darren DeLorme, sister Shirley Hirst (nee DeLorme), nephew Jeffrey Hirst, niece Debra (Derek) Grech, and extended family members in Quebec, California, and Missouri.

Bernie grew up in Winnipeg, and as a youth was heavily involved with sports, hockey, football, and volleyball. In fact, the teams that he played for won several championships, and made the Winnipeg newspaper headlines on many occasions, Bernie kept a scrapbook detailing all of this, which today is cherished by his son Darren.

Bernie married Hilda Reimer, and together they had two children, Darren, and a few years later, Donna. As a family they enjoyed many activities together, including summer camping trips throughout Manitoba, Grand Beach, Falcon Lake, Spruce Sands, Gimli, Riding Mountain Park, etc.

Bernie loved to spend time with his children; teaching both Darren and Donna how to ride a bicycle, skate, and play hockey, along with other activities such as swimming, fishing, tobogganing and cross-country skiing. His son Darren recounts fond memories of his Dad coming home after a hard day's work, getting changed, and playing catch football or baseball before dinner. In the winter, they would often head over to the local outdoor rink after dinner for skating and some shinny hockey. Bernie loved his children very much, which was evident to anyone that knew him. “No matter what, Dad was always there for my sister Donna and I".

Then there were the incredible Winnipeg family gatherings with the DeLorme's, Reimer's, and Hirst's. This was back in the day when all the cousins were still young. Those were the best times, and Bernie played an integral role as a family photographer. Bernie took a shine to photography during his teens. By the early 1960s he had purchased a movie camera, which he would bring to family gatherings. Many attendees will remember the bright flood light shining, as Bernie tried to get that perfect photograph, or movie clips. Thankfully, we still have all these photographs, movies, and slides to treasure.

From 1966-72, Bernie worked for Philips Electronics in Winnipeg. As a result, the DeLorme's had one of the first colour TV sets on the block! From 1973-77 Bernie took a job as national sales representative with Yamaha Electronics in Winnipeg. He was solely responsible for introducing Yamaha stereo and hifi components to Canada at that time, and provided dealers across Canada with Yamaha electronics, and stereo systems.

In June 1977, the DeLorme family moved to Calgary, Alberta. Bernie transitioned into the oil industry early on and spent the remainder of his professional career in that field, until retiring at the age of 75.

Throughout his life, Bernie made many friends, both socially and professionally. Amazingly, he managed to keep in touch with most of these people, including many friends going back to his school days in Winnipeg. 

Over the last decade or so, Bernie was involved with the Meetup Group organization in Calgary. He would coordinate and arrange many of these meetups. Activities within the Meetup Group could range from summertime picnics, meetings at local malls, or parks and nature walks. Bernie loved to keep busy, and after retirement the Meetup Group became an important part of his life. He took great pride in coordinating the meetups. The last Meet Up that Bernie scheduled is to take place on June 20th, at Fish Creek Provincial Park in Calgary. I am sure many of his friends will be there in honour of Bernie's memory.

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