Industry mourns AKVA man

AKVA Group Scotland said its UK and Ireland sales manager, Derek Smith, who died last week aged 52 after a short illness, was an AKVA man through and through.
Diagnosed with an aggressive form of pancreatic and liver cancer less than a month ago, Smith remained optimistic and positive to the end, said the company.
Highly respected by both his AKVA colleagues and customers, Smith had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the company’s products and was passionate about the aquaculture sector.
‘When not in work, Derek was a family man, with a great love of the outdoors,’ said AKVA’s Scottish team.
‘If he wasn\’t fishing, he was mountain biking, if he wasn\’t mountain biking, then he\’d be out bird spotting, whilst walking the hills and mountains of Scotland.
‘His two other passions revolved around football and music. A Caley Thistle season ticket holder and a staunch supporter of the Tartan Army, he was often found with his wife at the home of Scottish football cheering on his team.
‘His tastes in music were broad and varied and he was a huge fan of live performances, the heavier and louder the better!’
Smith’s diagnosis came after he returned from his annual fishing pilgrimage to Simmer Dim on Shetland on June 20. His colleagues said he was very focused and good humoured in his last weeks, but ‘the combination of two aggressive cancers was too much for even Derek to fight’.
‘He will always be remembered for his humour, kindness, knowledge and passion for all things fishy. He is a huge loss to AKVA Group, and to his many friends and colleagues. Our thoughts, prayers and sincerest condolences are with his wife, daughter and sisters, who were with him when he passed.’
The funeral will be held at 12.30 tomorrow, July 27, at Inverness Crematorium, Kilvean Road, IV3 8JN. Smith’s wife, Linda, has asked that no flowers be sent, but instead donations can be made in support of the Highland Hospice and the Pancreatic Cancer research fund (care of John Fraser & Son, 17-29 Chapel Street, Inverness IV1 1NA).
Picture: Derek Smith had a passion for fishing