On September 18th, 2025 Neil Dmitrieff passed away at Abbotsford Regional Hospital, after a year long fight with asbestos induced Mesothelioma cancer.  He is survived by his wife Janet (née Jones), sons Martin & Christopher, and daughter-in-law Valerie, grandson Jakob, and step-grandsons Gavin and Noah.

Neil was born in Brisbane, QLD, Australia on April 13th, 1944 to Vera Dmitrieff (later married to John Pryce Haigh).  He grew up closely with siblings and cousins he cherished – brothers Colin and Phillip, and sister Julie Mc Callum (Nee Haigh).  He remained close to his siblings, and a good number of Cousins, some nearby and some far flung.   He grew fond of farm life while growing up with regular visits to the Haigh dairy farm near Murwillumbah NSW and his grand parent’s farm (Stephen & Mary Dmitrieff) in Thangool (rural Queensland).                  

Neil immigrated to Canada in 1968, where in Vancouver he met Janet his wife.  Together they set about traveling the world. This included places throughout Europe and Africa, before settling down on a hobby farm in Maple Ridge in 1980 to have a family.  He made many close knit friends in the community.  Throughout his adult life he was known as a friendly and caring neighbour that cared deeply about preserving rural elements of life in Maple Ridge.

In his late 70s Neil, through genetic testing, was finally able to help solve a life-long mystery (thanks Joan!) and found his birth father.  Not only did he learn and get to know his father, Cornelius De Vries - who was still living in the greater Grand Rapids area of Michigan - but also felt grateful to get to know his siblings Pam, Ron, Lori and Sharon and their families.

A Celebration of Life is yet to be planned, not yet to occur for at least a month or more.