Hello Becky and children, I'm a childhood friend of Derek. The memory I have of him is I was a new student in 3rd grade at Winthrop in Hamilton, MA. I knew no one. Derek approached me one day and became my friend. He invited me over to his house and I obliged. I think he was more quiet than I was. He constantly had pear or piece of fruit he was eating. Although we went separate ways, that memory is fresh in my mind like it happen yesterday. We became Facebook friends only recently and hearing of his death brings me great sadness. To see how 2 different people crossed paths as children only briefly and to continue on in life to become family men, and yet maintain an unspoken understanding of each other speaks volumes, I think. I can only imagine the effect he had on the people around him. A loving man, with much love to give his family and the people around him. I might not have known him the way you have but his indelible mark on me I will carry forever; that I was briefly in the life of a friendly, kind gentleman who was loved by many and had more love for others. My deepest condolences for all of you.