Eugene J. "Gene" Derba Jr. Dedham Native, Dies

Eugene J. Gene Derba Jr., 55, of Franklin, died Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012, at Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston, following a long battle with cancer.

He was the husband of Sharon (Hanney) Derba for 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, on Jan. 26, 1957, and he was 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, N.H., 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 on Thursday, Nov. 1, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Charles F. Oteri & Son Franklin Funeral Home, 33 Cottage St., in Franklin, and a celebration of life service on Friday, Nov. 2, at 1 p.m., at The First Parish of Framingham, 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 Genes memory to Xaverian Brothers High School, 800 Clapboardtree St., Westwood, MA 02090 and/or Fontbonne Academy, 930 Brook Road, Milton, MA 02186.