Mr. George "Ted" Theodore Derwa
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Ted's obituary
George “Ted” Derwa, age 87, of West Bloomfield, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at Magnolias by the Lake in Keego Harbor. Born September 21, 1938, in Detroit, Ted was the beloved son of George Derwa and Dorothy Leguria and brother to Jackie (the late Michael Start).
Family was everything to Ted. As a boy he cherished Sunday dinners at his Belgian grandparents’ house, where Ma served the best old-world dishes. That love of gathering family never left him. Together with his wife Marylou, he created a joyful childhood home with his children where their backyard pool became the neighborhood magnet in the 1970s, hosting lively pool parties nearly every weekend. Ted and Marylou also sponsored the Saint Valerie of Ravines church teen club, growing it from about 15 kids to over 100. Ted led the monthly activities and made it fun and exciting for the teens.
He walked three of his daughters — Penny, Patty, and Paula — down the aisle and paid for their weddings and receptions in full. He gave his daughter Pam a generous monetary gift to help celebrate her marriage. With his daughter Deborah Derwa-Richardson, he built a warm bun adult relationship filled with lunches and meaningful conversations.
Ted was a devoted father and grandfather who cheered at baseball and hockey games, bought his grandsons Steve Yzerman Red Wings jerseys, and loved spending time with his family. He hosted the annual Derwa family Christmas party in a private room at Red Run, watching with pure joy as his grandchildren opened mounds of presents. He was a die-hard Lions fan and loved the Tigers, Pistons, and Red Wings. He enjoyed Family Feud and The Incredible Dr. Pol.
Ted is survived by his ex-wives Thuy Nguyen, Violet Derwa, Marylou Ferracciolo, and Karen Dina; his children Penny Eastman (Bob), Patrice Fink (Dan), Pam Steinberg (Barry), Paula Schienke (David), and Deborah Derwa-Richardson; his grandchildren Sarah Kennedy, Bobby Eastman, Teddy Eastman, Brandon McNeil, Alina Steinberg, Josh Schienke, Olivia Schienke, Gabe Schienke, Raymond Richardson, Elizabeth Richardson-Clos, and Stanley Richardson; and his great-grandchildren Sally Mansfield, Molly Mansfield, Rhett Richardson, Leah Richardson, and Dylan Richardson. He also leaves his niece and godchild Michelle VanGilder (Brian) and nephew Danny Start (Samantha), whom he loved like a son.
In his later years, Ted was lovingly supported by his family. Pam, her husband Barry, and their daughter Alina made an extraordinary sacrifice by moving in with Ted and living with him in his beloved West Bloomfield home for five years, providing daily assistance and care so he could remain in the house he cherished. His other daughters, sister Jackie, nephew Danny, niece Michelle, and cousin Jeff Wummel visited often, played cards with him, and made sure he felt cared for. Penny brought home-cooked meals, Jeff drove him to monthly Derwa family luncheons at Golden Corral, and Patrice bought him dinner and made special treat runs.
Red Run Golf Club
Retirement was when Ted truly thrived. A proud member of Red Run Golf Club for more than two decades, he was a true fixture there. He started as an avid golfer but later found his greatest joy in the card room, playing gin rummy almost every day, winning many tournaments, and lighting up the room with his quick wit and mathematical genius. A natural with numbers, he could add large columns in seconds, giving him a legendary edge at the card table.
Ted was blessed with wonderful friends at Red Run. Hank Kinzey was especially loyal — he played cards with Ted for years, faithfully drove him to the club when Ted could no longer drive, stayed in regular phone contact, and personally arranged and paid for Ted’s favorite sports channels at Magnolias so he could keep watching the Lions, Tigers, Pistons, and Red Wings.
Ford Motor Company
Ted dedicated 36 years to Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, retiring in 1998 at age 59 as Senior Executive Director of IT. He led major initiatives, including the ambitious F2000 program that modernized global processes, technology, and teamwork across the company. He was respected for his calm leadership under pressure and for turning IT into a true strategic partner to the business.
Ted built deep, lifelong friendships at Ford that lasted more than 40 years. These men became like family. Among them were Mark Duhaime (whom Ted loved and mentored like a son), Larry Granger (his closest friend), George Surdu, Ed Niemyjski, Charlie (the leader of Process Leadership), Bob, Angelou, Ted, and Chris. Their bond started at Ford in the 1970s and 1980s and continued strongly through retirement with yearly golf outings at Calloway Greens Golf Club in Fort Myers, Florida — Ted’s home course.
George Surdu said: “Ted was the energy that Ford and everyone needed. We have lost a great one!!”
Ed Niemyjski, who first met Ted in 1979, shared: “Ted has been my coach ever since. I loved him. He was always there for me at Ford and beyond… Like so many others he inspired, we will all miss him dearly.”
Mark Duhaime said: “I never once visited him or saw him where I didn’t come away feeling rewarded. His sense of humor and ‘connection’ to the world always made it easy to talk to him and so worth the time. I loved your Ted as a second father who like MY dad never stopped teaching and amazing me. He truly was a gifted man who could make anyone feel special and able to do ANYTHING!!”
Ted also shared a special, decades-long bond with his longtime administrative assistant, Linnie Richards. She was his trusted right hand, and Ted deeply adored her.
Final Days
In his final weeks, Ted was surrounded by love. His closest friend Larry Granger visited every other week, often bringing pizza. The day before Ted passed, Larry told him, “I love you, Teddy.” Ted’s final understandable words were, “Larry… I love you.” Patrice spent every day with him for the final three weeks, holding his hand, expressing love and gratitude, and receiving his forgiveness. She was holding his hand when he passed.
A private graveside service will be held for the family at Utica Cemetery (Nathaniel Squire Utica Cemetery), 46325 Shelby Road, Shelby Township. A private memorial luncheon will follow at The San Marino Club, 1685 E. Big Beaver Rd, Troy, Michigan 48083.
Ted Derwa lived the retirement dream and made Red Run a second home. He will be remembered for his kindness, humor, generosity, quick smile, lightning-fast math, and the way he brought people together — whether around a card table, a golf course, or a family dinner. The clubroom and the Ford community will be quieter without him, but his big heart and spirit will live on in all who knew him.
Rest easy, Ted. You will be deeply missed and never forgotten.
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