Darren was a veteran Toronto bike messenger who started his own
independent courier companies Nomad Express and Xynergy Xpress
Courier at Harbord/Ossington. (perhaps the only indigenous owned
courier company in Toronto). He was killed by a motorist riding his
bike on Twelve Mile Bay Road near the Moose Deer Point First Nation,
a Potawatomi First Nation in the Muskoka area. Darren was airlifted
to hospital but succumbed to his fatal injuries. Darren was a
first cousin of Toronto bike messenger Gary Cote who passed away in 1999
Darren Williams was a long time Toronto resident and bike messenger
who founded his own courier company, Nomad Express. (perhaps the
only indigenous owned courier company in Toronto). He had moved up
north several years ago. He was struck by a driver on May 30 and
died the next day in hospital. Today a ghost bike was installed in
his memory. At the request of the family, the memorial was placed on
the south east corner of Ossington and Harbord, very close to where
his company was. This was the first ghost bike ride since the
beginning of the pandemic. It was announced mainly to people who
knew Darren in order to keep the numbers relatively small.
Terrible news. Our dear friend and colleague, Darren Williams was
killed by a motorist riding his bike yesterday evening on Twelve
Mile Bay Road near the Moose Deer Point First Nation, a Potawatomi
First Nation in the Muskoka area. Darren was airlifted to Toronto
but succumbed to his fatal injuries early this morning.
Darren had been the long-term owner, operator and dispatcher at
Xynergy Xpress Courier at Harbord/Ossington in Toronto and had
recently moved back home according to Frank Gonzalez.
Frank had spoken to him yesterday morning and he was in good
spirits. Darren had started riding again. Some of you may remember
him from the 1990s bike messenger scene centered around Bread
Spreads. Frank and I have have been trying to find a rare Trevor
Hughes pic from that period. He is in my 2008 film for a few seconds
at the 1:18 mark.
We are in shock and it is hard to believe he is gone. Rest In Peace.
UPDATES: Darren had been airlifted to Sudbury not Toronto. The
driver has been identified as an 80 year old relative who was
driving parallel with Darren, lost control and clipped Darren. The
driver remained on the scene - Nick Kovats
I got a phone call last night and was told he had been airlifted to
a hospital. I woke up this morning to learn he had been taken off
life support at 4 AM. I have been working with Darren at Xynergy
over the last few years and have worked with him at several
companies over the past 20+ years. I’ll miss him! RIP Darren. -
Carlos Gomes
Wishing Darren’s family and friends all the best. Rode courier with
him in the nineties and road riding in the 2000’s. One of the
classiest cyclists I have ever ridden with. Straight and strong. A
beautiful man and spirit. Lots of love. -Craig Barnes
Darren's laughter is still ringing in my head. He was a wonderful
man who I was lucky to call a friend. My deepest condolences to the
family. - Sara VanderWal
As a long time client, our deepest condolences to Darren's family
during this very difficult time.
- The Canadian National Exhibition staff team, Canadian National
Exhibition (CNE / the Ex)
I was very shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Darren's sudden
passing. Darren had been my patient for many years and I was always
so happy to see him at his dental checkups. I admired his
entrepreneurial spirit in starting his courier company. His passion
was his cycling which he was always so happy to chat about. I will
miss Darren terribly and I share this sorrow with his family and all
his friends.
Kerry Lim D.D.S. - Dr. Kerry Lim
It is especially clear now since Darren has passed unexpectedly,
just how stable, reliable, kind, funny, helpful and generous Darren
was day to day. What a good influence he was and how he could aspire
to something and attain it ..he will be missed and his influence
will carry on. Deep condolences for his family. - Amy Spring
How tragic 😱 OMG I'm so sorry to hear this, please accept my
sincere condolences 💞 looking at his pic I remember Darren from
Bread Spreads in the 90's, R.I.P DARREN 💗 - Yvette Gagne
Bracebridge Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officers responded to a
collision on Twelve Mile Bay Road in Georgian Bay Township on
Saturday May 29, 2021 at 6:25 p.m. involving a passenger vehicle and
a cyclist. Both the motorist and cyclist were travelling westbound
when the collision occurred. The cyclist, 51 year-old Darren
Williams of MacTier, was transported to hospital, later transferred
to a Toronto area hospital and unfortunately has succumbed to his
injuries.
Twelve Mile Bay Road in that area was closed for several hours while
the OPP Technical Traffic Collision Investigation (TTCI) unit
assisted with this ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is
asked to please call Bracebridge OPP at (888)310-1122 or call Crime
Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Darren's Obituary
May 30, 2021
Our strong beloved brother, nephew, uncle, cousin was an avid
cyclist who was tragically taken from us doing what he loved to do
best. Darren will be remembered as a supportive, adventurous and
loving spirit who lived with determination, always willing to help
and give advice at a moment’s notice. Darren built the first
Indigenous - owned courier company Nomad Express from the ground up.
He travelled internationally to Thailand, India, China, Dominican
Republic and Cuba. Son of Gail Williams and Mitz Tanaka; Grandson of
Harvey Williams (Moose Deer Point FN) and Ethel Jones (Cape Croker
FN).
Darren is a direct descendant of Chief Tecumseh on our grandfather’s
side. Our fearless mentor is devastatingly missed and will be in our
hearts with respect, positivity and deep love. A family warrior
Evening Spirit Man, was extremely proud of his brothers, sisters,
nephews, nieces, uncles, aunts and great - nephew and niece in the
journey of life with him. We will carry him in our hearts, make him
proud, as his spirit journey has begun – guiding his dear friends
and family.
“Remember the good times with Darren and his
crazy Williams humour and laughter! He was always there for us, we
will be here for him and carry on what he has gifted us with!!
