Derek Anthony Lugar

Age 63, Truro. With broken hearts we announce the passing of Derek Anthony Lugar, “Dino” to many, at the age of 63 after a battle with Angiosarcoma, at home surrounded by his family. Derek was born on March 16, 1958 in Montreal, QC. Survived by his loving partner, Susan Costin; daughter, Nicole Gairns. He was the eldest son of Rexanne (Moore) and the late Douglas Anthony “Tony” Lugar. Also survived by brother, Jay (Peggy); sister, Judy (Bob); nieces, Jenny (Chris) and Erin; nephews, Scott (Helen) and Matthew; aunts, Virginia Moore, Sheila Farquhar, Maisie Lugar and uncle, Hugh Moore as well as many cousins and relatives. In addition to his father, Derek was predeceased by Robert Lugar, Gwen Dunlop-stokes, Jacqueline Harmer-taylor and Gail Moore. Derek grew up in Halifax with his head under an engine hood and his eye on the road. Graduating from Queen Elizabeth High School, he did a ‘gap’ year tour of North America in his trusty Volvo P1800, meeting people from all walks of life and offering assistance to anyone with a lifted hood. He obtained his Bachelor of Commerce from Dalhousie University in 1983. Entering the car business starting with working at the Volvo plant in Halifax and then with Chapman Motors, which led to Derek and his lifelong friend, John Trivett buying Vantage Motors in Truro. Although he had a mountain to climb, he rarely missed work, never complained and always had a smile on his face. He was eternally grateful to his Vantage family, Racecar family, Hockey family and many others who wholly supported him and helped him this past year. Throughout Derek’s life, he was drawn to cars – making them go faster no matter the driving surface or conditions… gravel, asphalt or ice and rain, the faster the better. That passion and early antics with his friends from his youth, John, Dave, Rob, Steve to name a few, provided constant entertainment and stories around the boys’ brownie pan. He was involved with many forms of racing: Hillclimb, Rally, Rally Cross, Solos, Solosprints, Time Attack, Autoslalom, Ice-racing, and especially, Road Racing, including winning at some of his favorite racetracks - Road Atlanta, VIR, New Hampshire, Mosport, Mont-tremblant and especially, his beloved home track at Atlantic Motorsport Park (AMP). He raced or drove the pace car in the Moosehead Grand Prix in 1990-1993 in Halifax and 1994-1995 in Shearwater. He had also driven the pace car at the Rolex 24 at Daytona. In 2018, he applied his craft in Drag Racing at the local Greenfield Dragway with his VW Golf GTI. Derek was chief instructor and organizer for BMW driving schools from 1992-2019, chief driving instructor for Atlantic Region Motorsports (ARMS), driver educator in Motorsports for the Porsche Club of America – Acadia Region, an honorary member of Atlantic Motor Sports Car Club (ASCC), driving instructor for the Maritime High Performance Driving Club, ARMS, and Atlantic Motorsport Park (AMP). He totally enjoyed teaching, coaching and mentoring racecar enthusiasts and new drivers, so everyone could enjoy the sport he loved so passionately, knowing they would feel the same way the instant they were in a car on the track!!! Derek has been Dealer Principal of Vantage Motors since October 1990, completing the new building in 2008 at 16 Meadow Drive in Truro, NS. He was proud of the work, accomplishment and the reputation that he and his team built together. To provide the best and most trustworthy, knowledgeable and sincere Volkswagen dealership so people knew that they mattered and were a part of the Vantage family. Kudos to you all – you know who you are!! He was the longest serving board member of the Nova Scotia Atlantic Dealers Association (NSADA) acting as Regional Director for Truro-colchester and a member of the Canadian Auto Dealers Association (CADA). He sponsored and played hockey with the Vantage Eagles for over 25 years, managing the team with Scott Fraser while looking forward to playing every Tuesday and Sunday with the guys. Derek loved to travel and enjoyed time in Daytona, Nuevo Vallarta, the eastern U.S. and many other places near and far; spending time with family at the cottage in St. Margaret’s Bay with water tours, sailing and BBQ’S and with Sue’s family at their cottage in Northport. He was the truest animal lover, which was mutual, including Boy, Sal and Aries (the dogs) and Robbie, Sue’s cat, not to forget the crows he called to feed every day. The family would like to thank the medical teams involved with Derek during the last year and a half including Dr. Bruce Colwell, Dr. Don Rowe, Dr. Maureen Nolan, Dr. Michael Ha and Dr. Meadows Younger. Special thanks to the Palliative Care team, Dr. Cortney Smith and Angela Mcdonnell and the VON. Your professional and personal attention and assistance is truly appreciated by Derek and Susan and family. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a time of celebration to honour Derek’s life will be held at a later date when we can get together and follow his wishes. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Colchester Community Funeral Home, 512 Willow St., Truro, NS. Donations in Derek’s memory may be made to Hope for Wildlife, an Animal Shelter of your choosing, the Canadian Cancer Research Society or Atlantic Motorsport Park. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www. Colchestercommuninity.com