John Edward Derry, founder of A Home Away, is a dedicated, compassionate visionary, devoted to helping those who suffer from the disease of addiction.
John has always been dedicated to his craft and achieved many successes early in life. An examination of his curriculum vitae will attest to a man rising to the top in all his endeavors. Hard work, determination and skill led John to be outstanding both in his personal and professional life. As a professional pharmacist, he was recognized for his leadership roles both in the public and private sectors. Successful in the corporate world, he achieved an abundance of material assets. His beautiful home was graced with family and two healthy children, he was active in his church, and he served on countless committees. Through the eyes of popular culture, he had arrived.
When telling his own story, John recounts the lonely, empty despair and brokenness of continuing to "try to look good on the outside", while feeling increasingly bankrupt, emotionally and spiritually, on the inside. When John reached out for, and received help, he treated his recovery with all the passion he had applied to the rest of his life.
During his healing process John began to question his life choices. Despite continued promotion and business success, John knew he was being called in a new direction. In his life changing decision, John chose to give up all the security and comfort of a "set for life" career with the world-leading pharmaceutical company. John took the leap of faith that few have the courage to do. Shaking off the chains of material wealth and security, he resigned from his position at Glaxo Smith Kline, and set off to follow his calling.
John's passion was to help others suffering from the disease of addiction. Half-measures have never been for John; he was prepared to do whatever it took. John set off from his home in Unionville, Ontario, to the highly regarded Hazelden Foundation in Minnesota. There he again rose to the top, graduating first in his class of the graduate studies program, and was valedictorian, achieving his Master of Arts degree in Addiction Counselling.
Returning to Unionville, John struggled with how best to apply his new career direction and passion to help those suffering with addiction. When it became clear that his 26 year marriage was over, John chose to take another huge leap of faith to manifest the vision that had been forming in his mind.
John came west, to the Okanagan Valley and through a series of auspicious 'coincidences' purchased a bed and breakfast with a spectacular view. A Home Away was born. Developing A Home Away took faith, trust and courage. John had no financial backing or the security of a salary as he had been accustomed to. There were no cheerleaders, nor was there a prototype to follow in establishing the model of care he developed. One of John's first moves was finding his first co-counsellor, and best friend, a pure-bred Chocolate Lab. Cocoa has become an integral part of A Home Away, where the family-like setting includes the unconditional love and affection of a devoted pet.
The full family-like dynamic at A Home Away was completed when John married a woman walking a similar path. With synchronistic careers in pharmacy and counselling, a passion for helping others and serving a Higher Power, Jane is the perfect complement for John. They celebrated their new marriage at A Home Away in October, 2008 with family and loved ones, including current and past guests.
John and Jane share leadership of A Home Away, role-modeling a healthy relationship. Their own home is on site and they share meals and daily life with their guests.
View a poem one of our guests dedicated to John.
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