Eugene J. “Gene” Derba Jr. 55, of Franklin, died October 24th, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston following a long battle with cancer. He was the husband of Sharon (Hanney) Derba of 29 years and the oldest son of Eugene J. and Claire A. (Moriarty) Derba of Walpole. He was a Franklin resident for 20 years. Born in Dorchester, January 26, 1957 and raised in Dedham. He was a graduate of Catholic Memorial High School in 1974 and The University of Massachusetts at Boston in 1982.
He was employed by Barrett Distribution of Franklin. He thoroughly enjoyed coaching and watching his children play sports and traveling with his family. He was an avid reader of nonfiction. Gene is survived by his two children Eric and Nicole Derba of Franklin, his siblings Michelle Bradley of Manchester, NH and her late husband Marty, Edward Derba of Dedham and Suzanne Klane of Franklin, his mother and father in law, Roger and Lillian (Lawson) Hanney, his sisters in law, Lianne Manzella and her husband Ron, and Kristen Hanney, and brother in law Roger Hanney all of Framingham and many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his calling hours Thursday November 1st, from 4-8 pm at the Charles F. Oteri & Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage St. Franklin, www.oterifuneralhome.com, and a Celebration of Life service at The First Parish of Framingham, on Friday November 2nd at 1:00PM, 24 Vernon St, Framingham, MA 01701.
A private burial with family will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Gene’s memory to Xaverian Brothers High School, 800 Clapboardtree St., Westwood, Ma 02090 and/or Fontbonne Academy, 930 Brook Rd., Milton, MA 02186