Derek William Thomas
September 1, 1958 to June 16, 2022
Obituary
For those unable to attend the service for Derek Thomas on Saturday, June 25th, at 11:00 a.m. may view the service via this link: http:/https://youtu.be/KhrK0Snw1yA
Surrounded by his family and friends at his bedside, on Thursday, June 16, 2022, Derek William Thomas of St. John’s passed away at the age of 63 years, after a courageous year-and-a-half battle with cancer.
Predeceased by his father (Martin), sister (Linda), mother and father in-law (Helen & Joseph), brother in-law (Albert) and furry friend (Muggsy).
He leaves to mourn the love of his life, his best friend and wife Sue (nee Hollett), sons Steven (Miranda) and Dylan (Jess); furry friends Rupert, Kinky and Boots; mother Margaret, brothers Paul (Janet) and David (Tina), sisters Colleen (Paul) and Debbie (Ken) and his “special” Thomas family; brothers in-law Harold (Lorraine), Ed (Charlotte), Wayne (Sharon) and Larry; sisters in-law Diana (José) and Barb (Bruce); close family friends Reg and Judy, Ted and Donna, Brian and Lox, Jim and Marylou, Dave and Janet, Chris and Donna, Paul and Sue, Moya, Tom, The Coombs family, the cherished neighbors of Savannah Park, numerous nieces and nephews, and everyone he got on with along the way.
Derek was everyone’s friend and made sure all the people in his life knew how important they were to him. He was the life of the party and people congregated around him for stories, humour and insightful conversations. His passions were building businesses, developing relationships, keeping his mind active by reading and doing puzzles, listening to, talking about and taking in music, sunny summer drives in his convertible, and hanging out in his happy place in the backyard with Sue.
The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at both the Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Center and Palliative Care Unit at the Dr. L.A. Miller Center for their care, dedication and support to Derek during his battle. The family also wishes to thank all individuals who expressed their care and concern through phone calls, emails, texts or visits to Derek during his journey.
In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A service will be held in Derek’s memory at Wesley United church on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at 11:00 AM, which will be live-streamed for those unable to attend in person. A celebration of life will follow immediately after at Pleasantville Legion.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Cancer Center, VOWR or Palliative Care Unit.
Dr. H. Bliss Murphy Cancer Center
Available: https://cancercarefoundation.ca/donate/
Palliative Care Unit (PCU) Cuddle Bed Project
Available: https://healthcarefoundation.ca/donate/cuddle-bed-project-for-palliative-care/?fbclid=IwAR09msgwQkR8ebANLAIc4tcRkcjDNZ9udp9aYR2gCPMExrfeK-MfTHCgIHs
Palliative Care Unit (PCU)
Available: https://healthcarefoundation.ca/donate/in-memory-donations/?fbclid=IwAR197D-Ka7LfqZeddpWjMJiu3C9FAchYn-REY2PoZwlRscQezpymzUvSUYc
VOWR
Available: http://www.vowr.org/donations.html?fbclid=IwAR0QLMWWzrCuFqVxJzuGypSPIINj4smC8xi5rphYki2YHcxKlW2R8uj97ns
Schedule
funeral
11:00am, Saturday June 25th
Wesley United Church
A celebration of life will follow immediately after at Pleasantville Legion.
To Sue and family
So Sorry to hear of Derek’s passing. As you guys wrote he was a friend to all! He certainly made his marks and greeted everyone with a smile!
I want to wish you strength to get through such a difficult time, hold onto your memories💕
Dear Sue and family
Sending our condolences to you at this sad time.
Ford and Anne
Sue and family . Bill and I are so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you .
Bill and Jan Wadden
Sue and family,
We were saddened to hear of Derek’s passing. Derek had tremendous spirit in everything he undertook; hold fast to those wonderful memories.
Sorry Sue and family. Just heard of Derek’s passing. My condolences to you and you’re family.
My deepest sympathy to Derek’s family and friends on his passing.
Sorry to hear of Derek’s passing..Was nice seeing him at The Works where he and Brian Casey would be walking the track and we would have a chat and catch up on old times..
Sue I am so sorry to hear of Derrick’s passing. I had seen him walking at the university where he told me he was sick. I always liked Derrick and through him I met you. Please acceot my sincere condolences for you and your boys. Take care
Sue, Steven and Dylan, Sharing in your sorrow with love and friendship..
Sue and family,
We wish to express our sincere condolences to you at this very difficult time. We didn’t know Derek really well but had the pleasure of working with him in the days of that special Airport Heights Citizens Committee. In fact, we still have the recipe of his famous salt codfish dish that he, so generously, shared with us. It was our pleasure to to have met and worked with him. May you be strengthened in your time of grief.
With every blessing: Rev. Eugene & Mrs. Shirley Castella
My sincere condolences to the Thomas family.
I worked with Derek’s father Marty ,at G.GR Parsons ,,& remember Derek as a young boy & teenager.
Dave Hudson.
Our Condolences to Aunt Sue and Cousins, Steven and Dylan for the loss your husband and father. Our hearts and thoughts will be with you even from afar. With love, The Susan & Jalen.
Sue, and family, so sorry to hear the news of Derek’s passing. Treasure the memories and the many smiles…
Sincerest condolences
Dean
Sue, Steven, Dylan , we were so saddened to hear of Derek’s passing, Ross and I have lots of fond memories of spending time with you on Savannah. Our thoughts are with you at this sad time. Cindy and Ross Sullivan.
Our deepest sympathy to you Sue and your family at this most difficult time. God Bless.
Sue and family,
We were so sorry to hear of Derek’s passing. Derek has been a friend of ours for 40 years. Brian, Rolle and Derek would use our basement garage to work on their cars. They weren’t very old at the time. Derek was always very friendly over the years and always had a great story. May God bless.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Sue and your family.
My God bless 💕
My sincere condolences Sue and family. Hang onto the lovely memories of a lovely man. Fond memories of you all as neighbours at Savannah. Mom and Dad thought highly of Derek. My thoughts are with you at this very difficult time.
Remembering Derek from a long time ago when his grandparents rented our basement apartment which was on Pennywell Rd..at the time.
Sue, Steven and Dylan
Words cannot express the sorrow and sadness we feel at the loss your loving husband and dad. We will always treasure our memories of our good friend Derek.. Please accept our condolences and know that we are thinking of you. Love to you all.
Dear Sue and family,
I was shocked and grieved to hear of Derek’s passing last week. I don’t have to tell you I found Derek a pleasure to work with and I count it an honour to have done so. He and I had many great discussions regarding work and so much more. I’ll miss those chats. I’m so sorry and will keep you in my prayers.
Sue and family,
We’re thinking of you today and offering sincerest condolences. We were both saddened to learn of Derek’s passing. We always enjoyed running into Derek over the years and having interesting conversations. Hopefully, your shared memories of happy times with Derek will provide solace in the days ahead.
With Deepest Sympathy to Derek’s Family, my thoughts and prayers are with you all during this very difficult time. Rest in Peace Derek
Sue and family,
We are all truly saddened by Derek’s passing. We offer our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Derek was a passionate and loyal leader at Centsible for many years. His focus and commitment to everyone’s success was evident in all his undertakings. His energy and keen mind will be forever missed. But there was seldom a business discussion without Derek mentioning his family, and his devotion and affection for all. Our sincere condolence to the Thomas family..
Sue and family
So sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Judy Flynn
Sue and family,we were shocked and saddened to hear of Derek’s passing.Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time..
What a great guy . Will surely miss his smile and zest for life. Our deepest condolences to Sue and family.
It was our privilege to call him friend
Flora and Gary
Sue. :so sorry to learn of your husband’s passing. You are in my thoughts and prayers at this sad time.
Sue, Steven, Dylan and the Thomas family,
There are no words that I can say about the sadness of losing Derek. He was so special to me and all my family growing up as lifelong neighbours. He spent a lot of time with us, pretty much every day., a big part of our lives. There are so many pleasant and wonderful memories that we can cherish forever. At get togethers, we would always come up with a few new ones each time and they always made us all laugh. He was a very kind, gentle, thoughtful, considerate person who was an instant friend to anyone he would meet. He will be deeply missed. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I am saddened that I will miss his service on Saturday but will hope to view it online. Hugs to you all. Audrey 💕
Sue and family so sorry and shocked to hear of Derek’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Godspeed Derek
Sue so sorry to hear of your husband’s passing. , my prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.
Sue….. I was so sorry to hear your husband had passed. My deepest condolences to you and your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sharon Morey, Flatrock
Just chatting with Kristopher. So sorry to hear of your dads passing, Steve.. our thoughts and prayers to you and your family!
Bren, Carol and Kristopher Follett
Sue and family; so sorry for your loss sending our prayers for your family and friends 🙏🙏 RIP DEREK . DONNY AND RUBY COLBERT
Sue, Steven and Dylan – our words cannot express the sorrow we feel on your loss of Derek. We so enjoyed our get togethers with you both. Derek will be sorely missed. May you always treasure the wonderful memories.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. Sending our love.
So very saddened to learn of Derek’s passing. Our deepest condolences to you and your boys, Sue.
Our thoughts are with at this difficult time.
Carmel & George
Sue, Steven, Dylan & the Thomas Family,
Our hearts and thoughts are with you all of you at this difficult time. Your family has a very special place in our family’s memories and hearts.
Derek, Lynda and Marty are all together now having a few laughs. May your many loving beautiful memories of Derek help you through the difficult days ahead. Rest in peace. Sincere condolences.
Tony & Denise Norman
Derek it was so good to see you when I was home for vacation and at my own father’s funeral as well.I really saw your courage when you showed up to pay your respects to my dad Eddie Thomas ,I really respected and appreciated it so very much even though it broke my heart to be at my dad’s funeral and knowing what you were up against.sue is an amazing person and my heart really goes out to her,love you sue!I’ll end with the happy thought that perhaps my dad and Derek are together with many others just waiting for us.ill never forget you Derek and thank you for always being kind to me …
Sue and family I am so sorry to hear of Derek’s passing thinking of all of you at this time. Keep all the good times and memories you have made close to your heart. Sending all prayers and thoughts to you at this time.
Take care
So sorry to read of Derek’s passing. Having worked for sister companies for many years, our paths crossed regularly. He was always a gentleman to deal with and a pleasure to chat with. He always spoke with great pride of his family and how much he thoroughly enjoyed his Florida vacations with his wife.
Sincere condolences.
Sue, our condolences to you and your family. Derek left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him. We are so sorry for your loss and we are thinking of you at this difficult time.
Mrs Thomas
I’m so sorry about Derek. I feel your pain. May he Rest In Peace. I’m so glad I was able to speak to you on Wednesday morning.
Sue, Steven ,Dylan and all the family. Thinking of you all in this difficult time. Know my thoughts and prayers are with you all. Cherish all the wonderful memories.
Rest in peace Derek.
Sue, Steven and Dylan….I am so very sorry that you all have tragically lost Derek at such a young age. I had the great pleasure of working with Derek at Coca-Cola many years ago. He was a fantastic boss and I had the utmost respect for his work ethic and his immense love of his family. Cherish all your wonderful memories as they will keep him close to your heart forever. God bless.
So very sorry for your family. Thinking of you all at this difficult time.
Velma Harnum (Newell)
My condolences to you Sue and to your family. It’s so tragic to loose someone too young. Loosing your best friend and husband is so hard, and the void is too deep. Loosing a good father is a horrible loss. May your memories bring you a little peace in this difficult road ahead. Rest In Peace Derek. My heart goes out to you.
Sue and family, so sorry to hear of Derek’s passing, just wanted you to know I am thinking about you.
Sue, Steven, Dylan … this is still very difficult news to process. Thinking of you all as you journey through these difficult days.
Kim and family