Condolences
Happy 27th Birthday Derek, it has been three years and it hasn’t gotten any easier. We miss you and love you. Dad.
A year has passed since we lost our beloved son and the grief does not subside. No parent should have to watch their child suffer or be pre-deceased by their children. There are no words to express our profound regret and sorrow. Derek know that you will always be loved, in our hearts and deeply missed. We love you."
Happy Birthday Derek, we love you, miss you terribly and wish you were with us! Love Dad,Mom and Kaitlyn XOXOXO
We send you all our love, best thoughts and wishes. Derek will be missed by everyone who knew him.
Love from all of us.
Dave , Kim, Connor, Dylan, Ryan and Evan
Our thoughts and prayers are with your entire family as you go through this incredibly difficult time. Our hearts break for you but you are not alone..
Derek was a very unique individual. No one could change him, and did we really even want to?
He had the most beautiful blue eyes, they were absolutely gorgeous.
He could make you laugh about anything. He loved music, and his love for music is what brought us together. When we first met at Raido, I was convinced that rap music was pointless, but he was persistent in proving that I was wrong. He won, obviously, and he is why I started writing songs, and how our relationship began. He will forever be in my heart, and in many others, for simply being uncompromisingly himself.
He loved having fun, and had an ability to make people have fun, even if they initially did not want to be there. This was because Derek's personality was contagious, as was his smile, and it infected everyone who was around him.
He hated limits, and would rarely every take no for an answer. His stubbornness was annoying at times, but also endearing. I think we all should live like him at some point in our lives. Stand up for yourself, don't let anyone tell you that you can't, and never give in.
I love you, Derek, and I always will.
My heart goes out to your family, and your mom especially, who never gave up on you and was even there for me, long after we parted ways.
With so much love,
Rest in Paradise, goodbye
Brighton family, my heart goes out to you all.
I met Derek years ago at raido house, we didn’t much get along at the time. With all stupidity in a sense because years later we were really rather close.
There was one summer I’m fondly remembering. If I remember correctly 2017.
Derek me and Austin spent basically the whole summer together. Shot gunning coolers in back ally’s and dancing in school parking lots.
Then we lost touch. For a good while. A year ago we got back in touch as our friend Austin died.
I miss him. my heart breaks that he’s no longer here. My boys are together now. Hopefully causing such a ruckus up in heaven.
Thank you to the Brighton Family for having Derek and to fate having me and Derek meet.
He will be greatly missed.
To My Sweet, Loving Son,
I would have done anything to slay that demon that would not leave you be. I am sorry that you have had to endure so much in your young life and had to feel like you were all alone and did not feel like you belonged in this world. Know you very much belonged and you are dearly loved by everyone that knew you.
I wish I could wrap my arms around you and make all the pain go away. There are no words to describe the emptiness I feel, now that you have left us. Just one more hug, one more, "I love you", one more, "I will talk to you tomorrow".
I was so proud of you when you had the courage to reach out for help and enter the program at the Dream Center and graduated the program. I was full of hope and relief, and you looked so healthy and happy. Working out, learning new skills and making good friends. You had the support and understanding and that is where you found God. When you received your chain and cross from us for your birthday, it meant so much to you. To us it was a symbol of your courage and strength to overcome a battle within yourself but for you it was so much more. It was something that made you feel safe and gave you hope.
I'm not sure what happened because it was always so difficult to get you to talk about anything. I'm sorry we failed to understand everything you were feeling and the turmoil that was going on inside of you. I wish that i could have made you feel so much better inside and made you feel the love that i had for you and give you the comfort that you needed. I love you so much Derek and my heart breaks that you felt so alone and I wasnt there when you needed me most. I hope you are finally at peace with Grandma Marleen and Grandma Marilyn , Derek. They will take good care of you until I can be there to wrap you in my arms once again. You were always wanted and always loved, more than you ever realized my son. We love you with all our heart and soul and miss you every single day. You are here in my heart and I will never let you go. Good night Derek!
Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
Thy love go with me all the night
And wake me with the morning light
Love Mom xoxxoxoxox
On November 15, 2020, our family lost a dear sweet child, teenager and adult. Derek was a handful from the moment he was born and constantly kept us on our toes. He was rambunctious, loving, caring and could always put a smile on our faces. Derek loved spending time with his friends and could always be counted on to add some form of excitement to every play date. Our most memorable time together was our trip to Disney World and provided some of our most enjoyable memories . Derek loved his sister and was always looking out for her best interests. It is safe to say that he would have gone to the “ends of the earth” for her as he was her loudest advocate. Our proudest moment was when Derek graduated from the Dream Centre’s addiction recovery program and we prayed he had turned a corner. It took courage and commitment to take part in this program and his graduation day was a wonderful family moment. Derek aspired to be a culinary chef and was planning to attend culinary school as he had a love of cooking. Derek’s life was cut short by a terrible tragedy and our family was robbed of a wandering spirit and his witty humor. I regret that I did not get to hug my son and tell him that I loved him one last time. My only solace is that Derek is in the arms of his grandmothers Marleen and Marilyn and that they will look after him until he is joined by the rest of his family. Derek, I was always proud of you, always loved you and should have told you more often. Rest in peace my son, you will be missed by your family and everyone who had the joy of meeting you.
I'm sorry that you had so much pain and we didn't know how to help you. You were a sensitive and caring young man and everyone knew it. You are loved. I will miss your shy, sheepish grin and being able to spend more time with you. I was looking forward to having Christmas together after all of these years.
We are heartbroken and there is void in our family and are hearts. We love you and hope you have found peace. XO
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