Derek will always have a special place in my heart. He began courting my big sister Lyn, when I was barely a teenager, so he felt like a brother to me. I spent a lot of time with him and Lyn growing up. Later when I was older, we would have card nights, and he would teach us how to play crib. He knew all the catchy words associated with the game, 'one for his Knob' as an example. One Christmas Eve morning, when he was a milkman, I helped him make his deliveries through freezing cold and snow-covered roads so he we could begin our Christmas celebration together as a family in Basildon. I think we both enjoyed the experience of him being on his milk cart and sending me running to different doorsteps with bottles of milk, bread etc. I was barely 20 years old at the time so I can't claim slave labor! Later in life he always enjoyed his visits to both Perth, Busselton and Sydney Australia. He loved a game of golf and was very competitive with his snooker. Both he and Grahame would play for many hours and at the end of his Australian trip he won the 'fun' snooker cup which he only made reference to a couple of weeks ago. RIP dear Brother-in-Law.

Will always have cherished childhood memories of our lovely uncle Derek- From playing games in the garden when we came round with Nan when we were little, to Christmas parties dancing in the living room. We will miss your lovely kind smile and you will always have a very special place in our hearts and memories. Sweet dreams Uncle Del! 💙xxxxxx

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