BIRCH: Dennis Victor

Dennis died peacefully on Tuesday at Stratford Hospital at the age of 63. Born in Hunstville Ontario to Howard and Phyllis (nee Smith) Birch. Dennis moved to the Goderich area with his mom and sisters Kim and Marsha after his dad died and his mom completed nursing school. He remained in the Goderich area but loved to go back to visit his beloved Huntsville and spent many vacations canoeing into the interior of Algonquin park. Often he would tow a smaller second canoe behind his lake freighter. It would wind it’s way around the rivers and streams effortlessly. Dennis would say that Tom Thompson was steering it clear of the rocky outcrops in the water. Dennis loved art and was an excellent artist and photographer. His favourite artists were the group of Seven. He did his own pencil sketches, pastels and eventually painted in acrylics. His photographs masterfully captured the beauty of nature. His favourite subjects were animals(especially his dog Luna) and birds. His pictures often looked more like paintings. Some can be seen on the walls of the clinic one of his favourite persons, Dagny Kane Haas PT. While Dennis was an avid hunter and fisherman, he always believed that it was more important to give back to nature than to take from it. He was a member of several conservation groups , and the Nine Mile Stealheaders where he planted trees, helped at the Port Albert fish ladder, and rehabilitated many different wildlife habitats. Dennis loved to help other people, and he was eager to teach others his crafts. He worked at the Salt mine in Goderich as soon as he graduated Goderich District Collegiate Institute until he had to quit due to an injury he had from working at the mine. He married Linda(nee Knox) in 1982. They remained dear friends until the end, even after going their seperate ways in 2015. He is survived by his sister Kim and her husband Gilles Lemieux, and his fur babies, Luna, Itty Bitty and BJ. Dennis will be sadly missed by many. As soon as we can gather together again, a celebration of life will be announced and held at his country home. Donations to spinal cord research or the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be greatly appreciated.