Darcy Simoneau
April 12, 1964 -Â Â September 14, 2025
Darcy Simoneau (Left and Inset)Â handles the lines along with chuckwagon driver Tim Haroldson (R) at the 2011 Calgary Stampede Rangeland Derby
The World Professional Chuckwagon Association is deeply saddened by the passing of longtime active supporter Darcy Simoneau on Sunday, September 14, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 61 years old.
Born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on April 12, 1964, Darcy spent his formative years in Melfort, a community known as a hotbed for chuckwagon racing talent, including the Haroldson, Dagg, MacGillivray, and Bremner families. An accomplished hockey player, Darcy attended training camp with the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League and went on to play in the North Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League with the Saskatoon Westleys. Following his junior career, he played Senior A hockey with the Tisdale Ramblers, where he met his future wife, Wendy, whom he married in 1994—the same year he co-founded Northern Steel Industries Ltd., a business venture that flourished until its sale in 2006.
Though Darcy had grown up around the sport of chuckwagon racing, his formal involvement began in 2010 when he joined his cousin, driver Tim Haroldson, at the Calgary Stampede. With the Stampede’s updated sponsorship rules allowing multiple tarps per wagon, Darcy’s extensive network of business associates helped form the sponsorship group “Horsepower Inc.â€, later known as “The CanWagon.†Under this banner, he sponsored Haroldson’s wagon for several years, highlighted by a Semi-Final appearance during the Calgary Stampede’s Centennial Celebration in 2012.
After Haroldson’s final Rangeland Derby in 2014, Darcy partnered with Jack Van Stone’s group, The Legends, to support fellow Melfort driver Jerry Bremner, who also advanced to Semi-Final Saturday that same year.
Between 2010 and 2024, Darcy’s unwavering support spanned 13 consecutive Rangeland Derbies, backing eight different WPCA drivers including Tim Haroldson, Jerry Bremner, Evan Salmond, Jordie Fike, Cody Ridsdale, Mitch Sutherland, Darcy Flad, and Chance Flad. Through his efforts, Darcy brought nearly 60 corporate partners into the sport—many of whom experienced the thrill of chuckwagon sponsorship for the first time and remain active supporters of the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth today.
Darcy is survived by his loving wife Wendy, his daughters Brooke Mantello (Matthew) of Warman, SK, and Shaz Simoneau of Okotoks, AB; his mother Marie Simoneau; his sister Rochelle (Kim); and brother Maury (Terri). He was predeceased by his father Maurice Simoneau.
A celebration of Darcy’s life will be held in the form of a charity golf tournament at Elk Ridge Resort in Saskatchewan near the anniversary of his passing. The event will support two new scholarship funds in honor of his daughters, Brooke and Shaz—one for students pursuing Nursing, and another for those entering Animal Health Technology. Further details will be announced at a later date.
Arrangements in care of Snodgrass Funeral Home, Okotoks – 403-938-3111.
Darcy will be deeply missed by all within the WPCA family. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Simoneau family and all who were fortunate enough to know him.
Billy Melville
