Obituary for Lt. Col. Joseph A. Derie
ACTON: Lt. Col. Joseph A. Derie, USAF, Ret., an Acton resident since 1968 and formerly of Cambridge, MA died unexpectedly on Aug.17, 2018 in St. Petersburg, FL. He was 92.
Born in Medford and raised in Cambridge, he was the son of the late Euclid and Margaret (Rumboldt) Derie. A graduate of Rindge Technical School, he enlisted in the US Army Air Force in 1943 and entered active service after graduation in 1944. His military career with the Air Force spanned 27 years through WWII, the Korean War, the Cuban Crisis and Vietnam. He retired from the Air Force in 1968 then worked as a systems engineer for Raytheon in Bedford for 25 years. An avid reader, his love of books led him to serve on the board of the Friends of the Acton Libraries, volunteering twice a week at the library and with the fundraising book sales. He loved to work on his cars and enjoyed sharing his expertise with his children.
Lt. Col Derie is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Wilda “Billie” (Mareno) Derie; their 3 children, CDR Joseph A. Derie II, USCG, Ret. (wife Kate), David P. Derie and Pamela L. Anastasi; 5 grandchildren: Joseph, Robert and Justin Derie, Marissa and Frank Anastasi; and 4 great-grandchildren: Rileigh, Scarlett, Sophia and Isabella Derie. He was predeceased by his two brothers, Albert and Louis Derie.
Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours on Wednesday, August 22nd from 4:00-7:00pm at the Acton Funeral Home, 470 Mass Ave (Rte 111) Acton. The funeral service will be Thursday, August 23rd at 10:00am at the funeral home followed by burial with military honors in Woodlawn Cemetery,104 Concord Rd, Acton Ctr. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Friends of the Acton Libraries. Memorial page actonfuneralhome.com.
Born in Medford and raised in Cambridge, he was the son of the late Euclid and Margaret (Rumboldt) Derie. A graduate of Rindge Technical School, he enlisted in the US Army Air Force in 1943 and entered active service after graduation in 1944. His military career with the Air Force spanned 27 years through WWII, the Korean War, the Cuban Crisis and Vietnam. He retired from the Air Force in 1968 then worked as a systems engineer for Raytheon in Bedford for 25 years. An avid reader, his love of books led him to serve on the board of the Friends of the Acton Libraries, volunteering twice a week at the library and with the fundraising book sales. He loved to work on his cars and enjoyed sharing his expertise with his children.
Lt. Col Derie is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years, Wilda “Billie” (Mareno) Derie; their 3 children, CDR Joseph A. Derie II, USCG, Ret. (wife Kate), David P. Derie and Pamela L. Anastasi; 5 grandchildren: Joseph, Robert and Justin Derie, Marissa and Frank Anastasi; and 4 great-grandchildren: Rileigh, Scarlett, Sophia and Isabella Derie. He was predeceased by his two brothers, Albert and Louis Derie.
Relatives and friends are invited to visiting hours on Wednesday, August 22nd from 4:00-7:00pm at the Acton Funeral Home, 470 Mass Ave (Rte 111) Acton. The funeral service will be Thursday, August 23rd at 10:00am at the funeral home followed by burial with military honors in Woodlawn Cemetery,104 Concord Rd, Acton Ctr. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Friends of the Acton Libraries. Memorial page actonfuneralhome.com.