Darren Scott Winger

Darren was my friend, my co-worker, my office mate, and my work husband.
We all know different facets of Darren, and I am now convinced that with his quick-paced steps, determined and focused demeanor, in his short yet very well lived 61 years on this planet, he managed to live many lives in one. And most importantly, he positively impacted our lives and communities we live in.
He managed to be a community builder, a beloved colleague, a trusted friend, a dedicated husband to Lori, a government employee, a bike advocate, a life-guard, swimming instructor, a beer connoisseur, a University of Windsor Graduate, a Tourism or Community Regional Development Advisor, Festival and Events Hall of Famer, Rotarian, exquisite host, Life of the Party, first to arrive, last one to leave.
In his own unique way, he embodied causes, supported his friends and colleagues, he not only listened, but also did something about it. He did not shy away from a battle, a challenge, a new initiative or a community group in need.
His work life blended with his personal life and he loved both in their entirety, laughter, tears, festivals, meetings, grievances, agreements, disagreements and all.
He met with people, connected them and was an endless source of ideas. He has been described as a cool-cat, a sharp-dresser, quick-witted debater, tea-drinker, British Royal Family admirer, sports’ fan and avid watcher of British shows, a great friend.
He was the first person to welcome me at the Ontario Public Service. When I first started, I had no idea I had won the jackpot for best mentor/ office husband lottery. He took me to meetings, introduced me to people, and showed me the way. A rare and precious selfless way of leading.
I know I was privileged by his generosity but the more I talk to people, the more I learn that he has always helped newcomers, extended his hand, gave them a quick phone call to check in and took them in. I am ok on not being unique this way, because Darren was. My 16-year-old daughter is a lifeguard today because of him. He helped my son learn how to ride a bike. He gifted me exquisite Christmas tree ornaments that now more than ever are cherished by my family.
The Darren I knew was attentive, funny, dedicated to everything he believed in and cared for.
Before Teams was a thing, I remember him getting his tea ready before a teleconference over the phone, setting his cup on his dedicated coaster that I already had reserved on my desk across from me. It was our little internal ritual. He would encourage me to comment on calls, ask questions, share what I knew. I miss our morning chats in the office and our Monday Mornings routine, where he would sit on the table in my office and we’ll do a quick chat about of our weekends, while he drank his tea and me my coffee.
He also loved playing pranks on me, hiding my to do list after vacations and forcing me to do scavenger hunts around with office, leaving little post-it notes as clues such us: “Not yet, maybe where you get your snack”, or “getting warmer”. I would just scream: “Darren!!”, He would laugh…He loved to hide a rubber rat around the office every now and again in different places around the office. I would go to the washroom and comeback, there was the damn rat under my desk. I would scream; he would laugh.
We had our internal conversations and great dynamics between us. I always enjoyed receiving a humorous sticker with a “Bon Voyage” or “I am up to here”! We had our Whatsapp chat and after he left us, I caught myself re-reading them and laughing at the countless stickers he had made with his avatar that looks EXACTLY like him.
In these past few weeks, we’ve entered a new territory. One without Darren physically being here. He will not be a phone call, a text or a Teams message away anymore. He was always quick to respond.
He took good care of me and those around him. He took great pride in his work, was an excellent warden to the Historical Duff-Baby House, his adored place of work for the past 23 years. He cared for it as if it was his home. I remember when I first gotten the job offer Darren right away warned me: “When you come to the house – by the way whenever I say “The house”, I mean the office”. For the longest time, it was just Darren, myself and the Ghost.
He loved that I was afraid of going to the basement, he loved to share ghost stories, but he also loved to showcase its history as he understood and knew like no one its Historical Importance to his area. He did not want to leave it behind and I wonder if he ever will.
For me, he will never leave, as his legacy continues beyond his life. He lives in our memories, in our friendships, projects, organizations that he helped build, he lives on with Lori, his boys, Izzy, Freddie, his siblings Jill and Kim, his friends, family, Janet and me.
In our last call, we had agreed to meet for a beer and flush things out. In our last teams chat, his last message to me was: “remember we are here to “protect the province of Ontario”. I replied with a heart.
I am sure he is loving having all of us here sharing stories about him. I know nothing could have made him happier so I know he is happy now, wherever he is and even if he isn’t. For us, it really just matters that he WAS here, and that he touched our lives and many others’ and impacted our world in many positive ways.

Things I knew about Darren:

Darren was always smiling. I can’t recall a single meeting where he wasn’t laughing, telling a joke, or radiating warmth. He took his 1:1s on his deck with a tea in hand. He loved both cats and dogs. He was proud of his sons and their accomplishments, and deeply devoted to his wife—sharing her achievement as Mayor for bicycles with pride. Darren loved to cycle and was deeply rooted in his community and with the staff at RSB.

Just last week, at our VSAs, Darren was awarded a volunteer pin for 15 years of service with Bike Windsor Essex. He practiced what he preached. He always said yes—to mentoring, connecting, teaching. He took on extra work with a cheerful, “Yup, no problem.” He had a knack for finding loopholes in rules and a passion for advocating for staff as MERC Chair. Darren loved being an RDA and had no interest in retiring anytime soon.

He worked alongside the ghosts at Duff Baby House without fear—even of the questionable basement. He was an idea generator, always full of suggestions, insights, and solutions. This summer, he did site visits and somehow ended up at a 98 Degrees concert surrounded by screaming middle-aged women. I told him I was jealous. He loved paper and paperwork—but not TPON or grant administration. He excelled in both community and tourism portfolios and always made time to check in on his Windsor counterparts.

Darren wanted to bring people, organizations and communities together. He wanted people to engage, to laugh and to love. Whenever we had to prepare an in person meeting, he was always putting his hand up to suggest content and things to do. It was amazing because you knew you could count on him.

Darren did not like bowling, he did not trust putting his fingers in and not knowing what was put in there. It changed my feelings about bowling. Darren was and forever will be, remembered as an integral member of our team. We will miss him and we will cherish the memories we have all shared with him.

We were thrilled when Darren joined the tourism team as we knew how passionate he was about the sector and the people in his community. He was a natural fit and dove right in without hesitation. His existing relationships with stakeholders and keen interest in tourism, trails, cycling, and community economic development helped him to become not only a strong contributor, but a trusted peer, advisor and advocate. Darren made himself available to anyone that needed support and will be missed and remembered fondly by so many. On a more personal note, I will always be deeply appreciative of Darren‘s thoughtfulness and compassion while I have been away from work on leave, and his assistance with navigating a rather challenging situation. We were to have a phone call that evening to catch up and I’m sorry that I had to reschedule. In true Darren fashion, he was flexible and willing to fit me into his packed schedule. My deepest condolences to his family, friends, and fellow colleagues. I am sure there will be many excellent craft beers raised in Darren’s memory in the coming months and years.

For over 24 years, I had the privilege of working alongside Darren - we were hired a few months apart. Janine, Darren and I were the newbies and relied on each other a lot in the beginning.

Everything Darren did or touch was from a place of kindness, fairness, and genuine desire to make things better for others.

I will always remember his generosity (hotel and restaurant connections for my kids hockey teams :)), his steady support (with all of our work meetings) and the countless ways he made our work - and our lives - brighter! Darren you will be deeply missed and forever remembered for his unwavering belief that people matter most. Rest in peace my friend. xoxo

My very first conversation with an RSB team member was with Darren—and rightfully so. He was the first to reach out, and in the two years that followed, that became his trademark. Darren always checked in, especially with the “newbie advisor,” and he never hesitated to offer help. Together, we successfully delivered two workshops, and those experiences remain highlights for me.
I will always remember Darren as a beacon of light during a time when everything felt new and uncertain. He was the person I could turn to with questions, and the one I could share a laugh or a story with. Our conversations often drifted to family—something that truly connected us. Darren was immensely proud of his boys and deeply loved Lori.
Those in-person chats about family were where we found common ground, and they meant so much to me. I will truly miss our conversations—both work-related and personal. There will never be another quite like Darren.

I had the privilege of working with Darren for only a short time and I appreciated his honest and forthright approach to everything he worked on. Words don't do justice in times like this, but it's important to say that he will be missed and he leaves us far too soon. He leaves a legacy not only in his own community, but in the broader sport community and across the labour community too. Thank you and rest in peace.

Remembering Darren Winger—a colleague, a friend, and truly one of a kind. Darren wasn’t just someone we worked with; he was someone who made work feel like family. His laughter could brighten the darkest day, and his kindness touched every person in this room.
Darren gave his best to everything he did, and his dedication inspired us all. But beyond his work, it was his warmth, his humor, and his genuine care for others that made him unforgettable.
Though he’s no longer with us, his spirit will live on in the memories we share and the lessons he taught us—about compassion, about perseverance, and about living life with joy.
Darren, we will miss you more than words can say. Rest in peace, dear friend. You will never be forgotten.

It has been a pleasure working with Darren in the Windsor office over the last few years. Darren was always so wonderful in passing along his knowledge, wisdom, and guidance. I felt like I had hit the jackpot getting to work with Darren and learn from someone so passionate about their life’s work. He truly gave his all to his colleagues, community, and the work he did as a public servant.

Darren had a deep pride in the historic Duff-Baby House, where he worked for so many years. I will always remember my first tour with him - he knew every detail. Over time, I grew fond of The DB House, what it represented and even became not too afraid of the ghosts! I did not want to believe we had ghosts there, but when they did make their presence known to me, Darren laughed whole heartedly at my startled reaction - he was pleased they let me know they were at “The House”!

On the road, Darren was always our driver, making long trips go quickly with his stories, conversation, and ability to find the best bakeries, cafés, and places for a quick bite to eat.

I will miss our chats, his daily “how’s it going” messages, his guidance, and above all his friendship.

My heartfelt condolences to you Lori, “the boys” and to all of Darren’s family, friends and the RSB team.

Janet

Working closely with Darren as MERC cochair and as an RSB team member, and as a member of our division here in RCSD, I always appreciated Darren's commitment and love for his job, and his collegial and kind nature.
Darren had a significant impact here in RCSD and in the communities he served – he will be profoundly missed.
To Lori and his family - we grieve with you.
Darren's legacy will live on here in RSB, our division and the ministry and communities we serve.

Jen Stewart

In Memory of Darren

I had the privilege of working closely with Darren for six years as his Director in the Regional Services Branch and for five years as the employer chair of the Ministry Employee Relations Committee for OPSEU. Darren was deeply committed to his colleagues, his community, and to Ontario as a whole.

One of my favorite memories was during a casual meet-up when Darren reminded me about the need to update job specifications for the Regional Development Advisor role—a grievance that had lingered for 18 years. What made that moment special was his genuine surprise when he learned the updates had already been completed. He never saw the email, and his reaction mirrored that of his 50 peers who shared the same spec. It was a small but meaningful example of his dedication to fairness and progress.

I will miss our conversations and his unwavering drive to make things better for everyone. Darren was not just a colleague; he was a true advocate for positive change. His legacy will live on in the work he championed and the lives he touched.

Darren and I worked together for almost 25 years, and during that time we shared many great conversations. He also had a knack for finding the best spots in Toronto for beer, wine, and dessert. We enjoyed many dinners with colleagues from different ministries, and those evenings were full of laughter and good stories.

I’ll always remember his curiosity about what was happening in all the regions and how he made staying connected feel effortless. Darren had a way of making work feel like community, and he always wanted to make sure colleagues were doing well.

Sending strength and peace to Darren’s loved ones. May they find comfort in knowing how deeply he was valued and how fondly he will be remembered.

With sympathy,
Carmen

I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing Darren as long as some of my colleagues, but the impact he had on me was profound. From the moment I started, he was incredibly generous with his time, always ready to lend a hand and share his insights. I truly cherished our conversations about all things tourism.

Like so many of us in this field, Darren was driven by a deep commitment to his stakeholders. He cared deeply for them, and that care was clearly reciprocated. He was widely respected, endlessly kind, and left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of working with him.

His absence leaves a significant void, especially in our hearts. Losing someone we care about is never easy, but I hope it brings some comfort to know just how deeply loved and appreciated he was.

I raise a glass to him (but not those yucky corporate type beers)

Cheers Darlene

Darren and I worked on the Learning Curriculum group together. We always spent the first 15-20 minutes chatting and laughing, before we got down to business. His energy was contagious, and his work ethic and genuine empathy was always evident in any conversation I had with him.

I have personally experienced numerous personal losses over the last 18 months, including a very good friend and mentor. In my reflections and in processing my grief, I started comparing those losses, with those of famous people.

Those highly creative, artistic, prolific individuals who don’t seem to have an “off” button. Those individuals who were so driven, so creative, it seems fate, God, the universe (whatever you believe in) grants them this unbelievable talent and drive, so that they accomplish all they can in the short time they will be given.

I mean people like Robin Williams, Heath Ledger, Michael Jackson, Jim Belushi, Chris Farley; the list goes on and on. What I realized, is that we know these kinds of people in our own personal lives as well.

Darren has slipped into this category for me in my heart. He was a go-getter! He was always looking for his next meeting or event that he could support or provide some kind of contribution. His loss is immense.

To Darren’s family, my deepest condolences. Cherish your memories and know, that your pride in his accomplishments, of which there were many, is 100% justified! You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Kim

Darren was a kind and generous soul - always with a smile, and an absolute pleasure to work with. I had the opportunity to do so over the past number of years as Co-Chairs of our Ministry's Employee Relations Committee and I truly looked forward to my interactions with Darren and the meetings - he was always willing to work together, and genuinely cared about the employees and the members. I am grateful that I got to see Darren the day before he passed -we met for a pint at the Duke after work, talked shop for a bit, caught up, he took a selfie of us that we '...had to send to Marie' and he gave me a big hug before I had to leave. He will be truly missed by all of his many friends and colleagues in the Ministry.

My sincerest condolences to Lori and Family - thinking of you during this difficult time but hope it brings you some comfort to know how loved Darren was by so many.

Erin

I've missed working with Darren in the last year or since he transitioned to Tourism. I understood why he shifted from community to tourism - he embodied tourism in so many ways.

My clearest and dearest memory of working with Darren was on a brand new funding program. We were coming off some intense times with pandemic pay and working from home during covid. The working group with Darren spent many extra hours getting this program off the ground and making it work. I've never had such an intense work experience where all of us felt like everything was at stake. That launch was a great moment and we all felt it. Darren was instrumental in bringing his knowledge and experience into the many many conversations. He would challenge us to think and he would challenge the ministry to do better. It was going above and beyond on so many levels. It was an intense couple of months that bonded that group and allowed us to succeed. I think it also solidified our relationship and expertise in the eyes of the ministry. The ministry recognized our value and expertise because Darren didn't hold back on all we had to offer. It's with thanks to him and the working group for being the epitome of teamwork and even though it wasn't easy, we all benefited from the experience.

He could relate to anyone no matter where they were from. He found common ground and offered opportunities for you to learn from his experiences. He was generous with his knowledge and I'm grateful for all that I learned from Darren. I will truly miss him. We didn't always agree but I really enjoyed every conversation we had.

In Loving Memory of Darren Winger

From my earliest days on the Regional Services Team, Darren Winger stood out as a mentor and trusted advisor. I still remember our first in-person training session, where he and Caitlin presented on partnerships and stakeholder relations. Darren’s deep connection to his community and his ability to link problems to solutions—often in the most unexpected ways—left a lasting impression. Many of us felt overwhelmed, wondering how we could ever live up to that standard of Community Economic Development. I remember thinking, “When I grow up, I want to be just like Darren.” I was inspired by his work and by how deeply he cared for his community.

From that moment on, Darren was always at the top of my list of seasoned RDAs to reach out to. He never hesitated to take my call, respond to a Teams message, or answer an email—no matter how big, small, or even ridiculous my question might have been. His generosity and patience were unmatched.

Just before I left for vacation in October, he called me—he was working through some new program processes, and I offered to help, teasing him that the “grasshopper” was now training the master. We chuckled, but I also knew I was a very long way off from catching up to Darren’s knowledge and experience. Still, he let me have that moment to tease him, and that was so Darren—gracious, encouraging, and always supportive.

I had the pleasure of working alongside Darren on the Learning Curriculum Committee, where we shared a passion for continuous learning and helping our colleagues shine. I’m forever grateful for the time we spent together in person during our working sessions in Kitchener. Our team dinner was filled with stories and laughter—memories I keep returning to as I process this tremendous loss.

One of our final exchanges was in September, when we caught up after his vacation with his family. Darren had such a glow—his happiness was radiant as he shared stories from his time off. His love and pride for his family were always at the forefront of our conversations, and it was clear how much joy they brought him.

The last Teams message I received from Darren was on Monday, October 20th: “Are you in office today? On a train heading to Toronto for a few days… at 400 later today…” I read that message every day. What I wouldn’t give for one more opportunity to meet up with Darren in person, to share stories and laughs over pints.

I extend my deepest condolences to Darren’s family, friends, community, and our beloved colleagues. May you find peace and joy in the memories and carry Darren forever in your hearts.

“What we have once enjoyed deeply we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” — Helen Keller

Forever grateful to have learned and laughed with Darren.

With deepest sympathy,
Tiffenni Wilkinson