Deryck's passing came far too early and out of nowhere essentially. While he was aware of the "growths" in his mouth, he unfortunately waited too long to get the issue looked into and addressed by a doctor and when he did, it had already matured into stage 4 cancer as a result of his chewing tobacco habit that he'd had for the majority of his life. He chose to keep to himself about his diagnosis, only telling those of us that were closest to him, not wanting anyone to worry about him or to feel sorry for him as he wasnt one to ever ask for or expect pity from anyone.....ever. He also didnt respond to very many messages he received via messenger in his last weeks, choosing to spend the majority of that time with the two most important women in his life, his daughter, Alyssa and his fiancee, Wendy who remained by his side with endless amounts of support and unconditional love as well as showing unwaivering loyalty and bravery to make the fact his time was limited as easy to accept for him as possible. Both Alyssa and Wendy remained by his side almost 24-7 and were both there with him when he took his last breath. Both women were amazing throughout this entire ordeal and I cant think of anyone else that I would have chosen to be there and ease my brothers sadness, fears and pain. To them I offer from the bottom of my heart an unending amount of gratitude and I am proud to call them family. I decided to do this website for Deryck for the time being while attempting to raise the monies needed for an official obituary and his memorial service , the information for which will come at a later date but I assure you, it will come. Nothing in this world can prepare you for losing anyone much less a family member that is held in such high regard by not just myself but to everyone who was lucky enough to have met Deryck and blessed to have had him in our lives. My big brother has been there for me nonstop through thick and thin especially since the passing of our father Doug, just over 4 years ago. Hes always been someone I looked up to and I never refused the opportunity both as children and as adults to get to tag along and hang out with "big brother". If given the chance to do it all again, I wouldnt change a thing about growing up with Deryck. From being the guinea pig on everything from sketchy barn swings made of nothing but bungee cords and lawnchairs, to being his crash test dummy of sorts while he practiced his WWF moves, as that was what he was going to do if the NBA foolishly never came calling. And I absolutely believed he could have made that or ANY dream of his a reality as there wasnt a sport that Deryck tried that he didnt instantly accel at. He was mostly known in high school for his amazing basketball skills, as well as his unique and hilarious sense of humor. Deryck could make anyone laugh...anyone. Its from him that I developed my own sense of humor into what it is today. Though he may not have worn his heart on his sleeve , my brother was by far one of the most caring, loving and kind people to walk this earth. He had a heart of gold and a kind and gentle soul that no doubt was reflected in those he held close to him. Deryck didnt always know exactly how to show how he felt when it came to others, and at times he without a doubt made bad decisions which inadvertantly and unintentionally hurt the ones he intended to show that he loved. But love them he did. And he was an inigma...people have always been drawn to him, wanting to spend as much time in his presence as possible. This was true of not just his long term girlfriends but of his male friends as well..Deryck seemed to somehow make life better for those who knew and spent time with him and as a result, naturally, I personally know of several of his friends who just couldnt seem to get enough time with him. And a couple of those friends in fact, followed him around as much as he would allow, much like I did when we were kids. My brother tried to appear stoic and tough and even at times came off as a jerk to some, but that was just the mask he wore as the real Deryck Manley Harner was sweet, supportive and woud give those he cared about the shirt off his back and never asked for anything in return. The loss of my brother is a void that without a doubt is one that noone will EVER fill and will be felt every minute of every day for eternity. I apologize if I have left out anything that any of you reading this feel I should have mentioned, please, understand that during the grieving of Deryck , its not been easy for myself or for any of us really to accept that he isnt going to pick up the phone anymore or that his one of a kind and contagious laugh will only be heard on video and in our minds from now on, all of which makes it difficult to achieve all the tasks that are expected when someone passes away and if I were to attempt to write about every single reason Deryck was so loved or try to share every single memory made that I hold dear..Id be here typing for the better part of the rest of my life for sure so if there is anything you feel I have missed that should have been mentioned or if you have memories and stories of your own with Deryck or if you have a message to him that you woud like to leave here I absolutely encourage and would love to read them , so please, feel free to add to these fond memories some of your own and share stories about Deryck as well as anything you may have to say about the man he was and how he touched your life and has left an impression bound to last a lifetime. Its only when people stop talking about someone that they are truly "gone". And as long as there is a breath in me, I can assure you that my brother will NOT be forgotten.