Remembering Darryl Neighbour

Curl BC is deeply saddened that Darryl Neighbour, a member of the BC Curling Hall of Fame, passed away in a tragic accident.

Darryl’s close friend Bob MacDonald, who has been in touch with Darryl’s family and brought the news to Curl BC last week, shared:

“Darryl and I were close friends. I’ve known him for about 20 years, starting with wheelchair curling in Vancouver. Curling was a huge passion and he put everything into it, although before his accident it was golf. Like elite athletes, Darryl was focused on doing his best. Darryl was also always talking about his large family. I sorely miss Darryl.”

A longtime member of the Richmond curling community, Darryl leaves behind an extraordinary legacy in wheelchair curling. He was a three-time Canadian Wheelchair Curling Champion and represented Canada at multiple World Wheelchair Curling Championships.

Darryl was also a member of the Canadian team that won gold at the 2010 Vancouver Paralympic Games, alongside teammate Ina Forrest, as well as the Canadian teams at the 2009 and 2011 World Championships.

His remarkable contributions to the sport were recognized with his induction into the BC Curling Hall of Fame in 2025, and he was also inducted into the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame.

Our sincere condolences go to Darryl’s family, friends, teammates and the many members of the curling community whose lives he touched.

Share a Tribute

If you would like to share a message, memory or tribute for Darryl, please complete the tribute form below. Curl BC will compile the messages and share them with the curling community.

Lelainia Lloyd, Formerly Delta Thistle Curling Club:

Incredibly saddened to hear of Darryl’s passing. He was such a lovely person. He taught me a lot about the fine art wheelchair curling. In 2026, he very generously helped my team prepare for the BC Provincial Wheelchair Curling Championship. After we won silver, he continued to support my team in preparing for Nationals. He let us curl against him & offered up invaluable advice. He always had a smile on his face when he had a curling stick in his hand. He faced a number of health challenges in the last few years, but he kept showing up for our community. Darryl was a gentleman both on & off the ice. His generosity of spirit, gentle encouragement & coaching helped make me a better player. I am so grateful to have known him & will never forget him. I will miss him. Godspeed Daryl & thank you. ♿️🥌❤️🇨🇦

Linda Cramet:

Darryl was a mighty fine two stepper in our little elementary country school

Jack Smart, Garrison Curling Club:

The wheelchair curling community lost a tremendous supporter, competitor and friend that covered 20+ years of competitive curling. I will cherish my time and experience with Darryl as a competitor, teammate and friend. He was a good mentor and strategist, plus a fierce competitor. After the game he loved to analyze that game and games that happened years before. I was amazed at how he could remember details from years past. We will miss you Darryl, Rest in Peace.

Dale Cameron, Marpole Curling Club:

Darryl made good impressions wherever he went. He was a tireless advocate for the sport, raised awareness for wheelchair curling everywhere and was a genuinely good person to be around. I rarely saw him without a smile. I have many good memories of Darryl on and off the ice, that I will cherish. I first met him as a curler in one our men’s leagues… everyone loved playing the “wheelies” as they were always a fun team to play. It was cool losing to or winning against a Paralympic Gold Medal winner! I remember him openly sharing his Gold Medal with us and his face was beaming with pride as we ogled the hardware. As a past Manager at Marpole, I recall Darryl would always work with a new person looking to try curling; he was a good trainer and always shared tips and tricks. He would always help when asked… He rarely said no to a request. During one of the 2010 Olympic broadcasts of the CTV Canada AM morning show, he answered another call for the Marpole Curling Club, as he proudly taught long time weatherman, Jeff Hutcheson, how to wheelchair curl, while a group of our junior curlers stood by. Off camera, he spoke with the kids, conversed with the crew and just helped get the good word of curling out to everyone. He seamlessly transitioned from professional, to expert, to friend and colleague and left a positive mark on our sport across many decades of age groups. There are many items (jersey, plaques, banners, etc.) commemorating Darryl, throughout our Marpole club that we have always coveted, but these will not replace his presence at our club, which I personally will miss greatly. R.I.P. Darryl.

Karen Watson, Nanaimo Curling Club:

Darryl was passionate about wheelchair curling who never missed a chance to teach others and promote the sport. He was a joy to coach and a friend. He will be missed.

Lily Liu:

To Darryl

You came into my life
when I was still finding my way
in a country that was not yet home
you made it feel
a little less unfamiliar
From 2007 to 2022
fifteen years passed between us
years stitched together
with laughter and silence
ordinary days and unforgettable ones
moments of joy
and moments that brought tears
We were not perfect
Life was not always kind to us
There were things left unsaid
roads that eventually went
in different directions
But today, I do not want
to hold on to those things
Today, I remember you
as the friend who once reached out
the man who welcomed me
the person whose life
became part of mine
I remember your laughter
the conversations
the little moments
that seemed so ordinary then
but have become precious now
I remember
your chair upon the curling sheet
the concentration in your eyes
the familiar rhythm of the stones
the determination that carried you
far beyond what life had once
asked you to endure
You found what to love
and people with whom to share it
You kept curling
kept competing
kept showing up
year after year
Perhaps that is how
I will remember you now
not as the ending
but as all the moments before it
Not as the years we lost
but as the fifteen years we had
Not as the tears
but as the laughter that survived them
You have gone where I cannot follow
Darryl
and there will be no more
unexpected meetings
no more conversations
no more wondering
what became of you
But there is one place
where you are not gone
You remain
in the quiet rooms of memory
in the stories I will never forget
in the pieces of my life
that carry your name
So rest now, dear friend
Let the stones come to rest
Let the last game be over
I will keep the good memories
the laughter
the friendship
the beautiful little moments
that once belonged only to us
When I think of you
I hope that with time
the tears will soften
What remains
will simply be gratitude
I knew you
You knew me
And for fifteen years
our lives crossed
That was enough
May you rest peacefully, Darryl