I am a friend of Derek’s from years, upon years ago. I am from Canada & I met Derek at the same Young People Peace Camp that I also met John Kelly in 1989. It was my first trip abroad and I was 18 yrs old. Meeting other young people from across the world was transformative for me, and I loved that once I returned home, Derek, John & I kept in touch. I was a “letter writer” & I guess Derek was too. I remember during one move of mine back in the late 90’s literally having shoe-boxes filled with letters from Derek & John… we weren’t plotting & scheming to save the world or anything … likely just sharing the trials & tribulations of our first years at College. Years later, in 1995/96 when I was living & working in London, I spent some time in Dublin & reconnected with Derek. That was a very special time. I came “home” to Canada in ‘96, carried on with my life, career, married, had kids. With Facebook, I was able re-connect with my long lost friend Derek (& John too) … periodically “peeking“ in, or checking in on each other’s lives. Seeing Derek’s passion for music, just as it was when I knew him way back when. The other night, my 19 yr old son told me that he was thinking of taking a trip abroad in the fall - and had Ireland in mind for a destination. Memories flooded back to my time there, and I knew I had to re-connect with Derek, hoping that he would be up for meeting up with my son … I had it all crafted in my mind. Derek & Evan would meet up, Derek would take him out for a beer, show him around Dublin, give him some tips on what to do, where to go. Evan may even think for a moment that his mom must have been pretty cool at some point, to have a friend like Derek.… In my mind, I knew that I could trust Derek with my sons life & he would help Evan if he got himself into a pinch. When I went to Derek’s FB page it re-directed me to this site … its a shock, and I’m feeling really sad … gone too soon, my friend Derek. I am thinking of your family … feeling sorry… would love to have re-connected with Derek today … older, wiser, as parents, meeting each other’s spouses. Knowing how happy we would be for each other. I may just sit here for awhile, like it was last week, and I didn’t know better, and I can just think about what might have been. Much love ❤️