John S. Derby, 70, of Constantia, NY, joined the angels in Heaven on March 1, 2023, after a brief fight with Leukemia. Mr. Derby spent his last day on Earth with his five children and wife gathered around him, laughing at silly stories, tattling on each other, and sharing the long list of people he would meet again in Heaven. The day was everything he would have loved and expected from this crew.

John was born in Syracuse, NY, on July 4, 1952, to Stanley A. Derby and Mildred I. (Leonard) Derby. Later in life, John was blessed to gain a loving, kind, and funny stepmother, Sheila (Warner) Derby. On October 13, 1973, John married Charlotte L. Pflug. After Charlotte passed away in 1988, John met and married Donna J. (Guernsey) Darby on July 8, 2000.

John and Charlotte’s marriage had many blessings, including three children. John was an active and well-respected volunteer in the community as a Cub Scout leader and coach for the North Shore Little League. Both he and his wife Charlotte touched the lives of many families during this time in his life. In the mid-eighties, John and Charlotte purchased their own slice of Heaven on Earth, a chunk of land measuring a little over 4 acres where they followed a dream of raising their children “deep in the boondocks”! John and his family loved camping (in a tent) at Beaver Point Campgrounds for many summers. They avidly supported the racecar “OV1” driven by John’s brother Glenn and the “Iron Bull Outlaw Wrecking Crew” operated by brother Jeff at Brewerton and Fulton Speedway. John brought his wife and family to Maryland annually, where vacation was full of fishing, crabbing, great food, laughter, and love of Charlotte’s brother Ray’s family. In September of 1988, John’s wife Charlotte passed away after a long battle with cancer. John was steadfast in his care for Charlotte as she lived out her last days.

John met and married Donna a few years later and had two children. John was often found in his giant garden with Donna as they harvested vegetables for the winter months. He was a great cook and loved creating new recipes, often cooking enough to feed an army. John and Donna provided many needy animals with a warm home and full bellies. He was always an animal lover, but his favorite pet Meeko held a special place in his heart. Undoubtedly, she was waiting for him (actually, his lap) in Heaven. He was an avid Dale Earnhardt fan and cried when he passed after a crash in the 2001 Daytona 500. As most fans did, John began to follow Dale Jr and was delighted to travel with his children, Ashley and Travis, to Poconos and Watkins Glenn Speedway to catch Dale Jr in a NASCAR race. A true favorite of John, Donna, and the kids was the trips to their dear friends Mike and Debbie’s camp in Croghan, NY. It was such a special place that John and Donna decided to marry on top of the giant rocks settled in the West Branch of the Oswegoatchi River. John loved to fish here and didn’t leave without purchasing Croagan bologna for home. John and Donna were a very devoted couple and dedicated to caring for one another.

Throughout John’s life, he was dedicated to his job and enjoyed many hobbies and clubs. He was a dedicated and proud Brewerton Fire Department volunteer member as a young man. For over 18 years, John worked as a brake specialist at Pat’s Brake Service in East Syracuse. He loved to share stories about the giant motor homes he fixed, always describing what his motor home would look when he got one. With great pride, John became self-employed in the early 1990s, opening North Shore Brake and Auto in Constantia, NY.

In addition to his parents, John is pre-deceased by his first wife, Charlotte, and a brother, Glenn S. Derby. Surviving are three children from John and Charlotte’s marriage; John S. (Carrie) Derby of Constantia, NY, Tonyajo L. (Thomas) Wiegand of Oswego, NY, and Stanley A. (Katie) Derby of Auburndale, FL, as well as seven grandchildren; (John) Broden and Charlotte; (Tonyajo) Charlise, Shelby and Cali; and (Stanley) Maddie and Luella.

In addition, John is survived by his second wife, Donna of Constantia, and their children, Ashley M. Derby of Binghamton, NY, and Travis J. Derby of Constantia, NY, and a granddaughter (Ashley) Adrianna. Surviving siblings include a brother, Jeffrey A. (Laura) Derby of Florida; a half-brother, Peter Prall and his former wife, Gay Erickson, both of Alaska; and three step-sisters, Sheila M. (Henry) Auslander of Williamstown, NY, Mary Jean Warner of Syracuse, NY and Patti (James Bruce) Warner of Fulton, NY; and many nieces and nephews living from Alaska to Florida, Tennessee to Maryland to New York.

Services are for family only. John’s children and wife, Donna, would like to extend gratitude to all those who have touched his life and the healthcare providers who helped him throughout his illness. Those who wish to remember John in a special way may make donations in his honor to the American Red Cross. 

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