Some people retire and slow down—Daryl did the opposite. With a lifetime of hands-on experience and a heart for helping others, he’s become a pillar of his community. Whether he’s building for charities, repairing broken items, or teaching practical skills to the next generation, Daryl’s dedication shines through in everything he does. His story is one of generosity, purpose, and the power of giving back.

Daryl has always been the kind of person who rolls up his sleeves and dives right in. At just 13 years old, he was handed a broken tractor and told to fix it. His knack for fixing things showed up early. At 14, he was faced with a sewing machine emergency—a girl’s finger had been stitched into the machine. Daryl didn’t hesitate. He took the whole thing apart, freed her finger, and then, instead of walking away, reassembled the machine. That experience sparked a 7.5-year career repairing sewing machines, followed by years in refrigeration and air conditioning.

Retirement, though, brought a new challenge: Exploring a renewed sense of purpose. Like many people, Daryl found himself in need of something meaningful to do—and maybe a gentle nudge from his wife to get out of the house. That’s when he discovered MenzShed.

MenzShed gave Daryl a reason to get up in the morning. It’s more than just building things—it’s about connection, community, and mental wellbeing. Whether it’s planter boxes or shade houses, the projects he works on go back into the community, helping others in tangible ways.

Now, Daryl gives back to his community in many ways—making items for charities, mending things for people, and passing on the skills he learned as a kid. He teaches young people how to use tools—how to swing a hammer without smashing a finger, how to handle a screwdriver. These are skills that aren’t often taught in schools anymore. While tools have evolved—from manual to electric to battery-powered—the basics remain the same. And Daryl is happy to have the younger generation teach him a thing or two about tech.

You’ll also find him at the Palmy Repair Café, fixing everything from broken appliances to toys. He loves the curiosity kids bring, and the joy on their faces when something gets fixed. He hopes it inspires them to value repair over replacement, helping shift our throwaway culture.

Daryl’s story is one of grit, generosity, and growth. We’re incredibly grateful for the energy, wisdom, and heart he brings to our community.