Obituary of Guy P. Derico

Guy P. Derico Guy P. Derico, age 94, of Buckhannon (Mt. Nebo Community) went to be with The Lord on May 11, 2016, following a short illness. He passed away at his home peacefully, surrounded by loving family and friends. He was born on May 21, 1921, in Century, WV, the son of the late Joseph and Anna DeFrancesco Derico. On November 18, 1944, he married Amelia Ricottilli, who survives. Left to cherish his memory are his children: Paul and wife Helen Derico of Jackson’s Mill; Elaine and husband Geza Katai of Green, Ohio; Joann and husband Brian Huffman of Indian Camp; Mariann and husband David Jack, Mike and wife Mary DeRico, and Patty and husband Arthur Sayre of Buckhannon; and Helen and husband Pat Golden of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Also surviving are twelve grandchildren: Chris and wife Debbie Derico, Tim and wife Kim Derico, Melissa Katai Crewes, Steve and wife Noelle Katai, Justin and wife Ana Jack, Brett Huffman, Ryan and wife Erica Huffman, Brianna Huffman, Kristen and Lindsey Sayre, and Michelle and Shannon Golden. Twelve great-grandchildren survive: Maria and Joshua Crewes; Jenna Steiner; Savannah, Cameron, Joe, and Tom Derico; Trent, Guy and Owen Huffman; and Madeline and Clara Jack. He is survived by his sister, Mary Slaughter of Shinnston, his brother, Leonard Derico of Warren, Ohio, and special family member Debbie Reynolds Derico. In addition to his parents, Guy was preceded in death by his brothers, Bill, Raymond, Angelo, and Lebro Derico; his sisters, Edna Coughlin and Theresa Henline; and his granddaughter, Katherine Jack. In 1937 Guy joined the CCC’s (Civilian Conservation Corp). He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army from June, 1940, to October, 1945. While stationed in Alaska in 1943, he received a soldier’s medal for heroic rescue of a pilot. He had various jobs, including the timber business, WV Department of Highways, and school bus driver for the Upshur County Board of Education, from which he retired in 1983 after 20 years of service. Guy’s passion was farming, and he shared his knowledge with others. For several years he enjoyed selling a variety of produce at the Buckhannon Farmers’ Market and visiting with customers and other vendors. In 1964 he was named WV Strawberry Festival King, and he and his wife continued to raise strawberries for fifty more years. Many people have one or more of Guy’s wood crafts in their home. Woodworking was another one of Guy’s passions and he had a booth at various craft shows for many years. Guy was a fun-loving man who enjoyed life to the fullest. He was a friend to young and old alike, and was able to engage in conversations with anyone he met. He was an avid reader, always wanting to learn, and he was quite a storyteller. He was from a musical family and music was a part of his entire life. At 94 years of age he still played the mandolin and guitar and loved family sing-a-longs. Guy’s faith in the Lord was reflected in the way that he lived, and his church family was so important to him. He was a member of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, where he served as a Eucharistic Minister for several years. He was a man of integrity and in his house there was no question about doing the right thing. Along with his wife, he taught his seven children the importance of treating people fairly and of doing their share to try to make this world a better place. To say that Guy will be missed is an understatement. His family and friends will miss his presence, his stories, his sense of humor, his music, and his smile. There will be a Prayer service 4 PM on Monday, May 16, 2016. Friends will be received Monday, May 16, 2016 from 4:30 to 9 PM at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. A mass of Christian burial will be held 10 AM Tuesday at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church with Father Joseph McLaughlin as celebrant. Burial will follow in the Sand Run Baptist Church Cemetery. The Upshur County Honor Guard will conduct military honors at the graveside. A monetary expression of sympathy may be made in Guy’s memory to Holy Rosary Catholic Church, P.O. Box 848, Buckhannon, WV 26201. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.