Official Obituary of
Rick Derwin
June 4, 1958 ~ March 19, 2018 (age 59) 59 Years Old
Rick Derwin Obituary
Rick passed away unexpectedly on March 19th, 2018. Rick was a 1976 graduate of Marathon High School in the Florida Keys and attended Florida Keys Community College. He was born in Chicago, later moved to the Florida Keys where he spent many years and eventually made a permanent home in Nashville, TN.
Rick loved the water, be it ocean or lake. Rick had that "Keys" way of life, never in a hurry but taking the time to enjoy the ride. Rick brought so much happiness to so many people in life whose path he crossed. Rick's personality was larger than life and his generosity to others was unparalleled. He always had a big grin accompanying a Keys story which earned him the name, Key West Rick on the Lake. Rick always turned a stranger into a friend, he was loved by so many people and had more friends than one could begin to count. Rick had a heart of gold, everyone that met him loved him, he spread laughter and made people smile. When meeting anyone who knew Rick, the words "Everyone loves Rick" were always a part of the conversation. Rick was positive, no matter what happened or how tough the challenge. Rick lived life to the fullest in every way. He filled in that dash between the time we are born until the time we depart this earth with more life than most could pack into 100 years. If the chips were down, Rick found a way to make a silver lining and bounce back. If you had ever been on the water with Rick, you knew he was the one you wanted to be your Captain.
Rick's pride and joy was his son, Jay. Jay and his wife, Jennifer welcomed a baby girl, Jean. In December 2017, which Rick described as total bliss. He was so proud of becoming a Grandpa and just wanted to be someone she would be proud of, although he wasn't quite sold on that Grandpa name yet! His keepsake gift to Jean was a fish mobile, something he pondered and worried over because he wanted to pick out just the right fish and of course had no idea where to get a mobile. Jean is a lucky lady to have such a special gift from her Grandpa Rick to treasure as she grows. Rick's memory will be kept alive through the stories we share, but not by bouncing on his knee as we all would have preferred.
Rick was cherished and loved for 16 years by his longtime Special Girl Kathy who was the love of his life as he was of hers. While never married, it was not for lack of love. They were affectionately known throughout the lake community as "Ken and Barbie" and when seeing them together, it was easy to see their hearts belonged to each other as their heads were always velcroed together. Their relationship just worked on their terms, love like that is to be treasured and will live on in the memories that will never fade away.
By trade, Rick had a business and was an artistic Tile Setter. He did immaculate pools, doing inlays and special artistry effects, his work was impressive. He laid tile anywhere that tile could be laid and many lucky people have businesses or homes where Rick's special touches of work will live on forever. He had a special gift of design and a drive for perfection in his work. He followed in the footsteps of his father, Richard in his profession and while it was hard work, he loved doing it and was the best at his trade.
Rick is preceded in death by his father and namesake Richard Derwin, younger sister and brother, Laurie and John, respectively. Left to cherish his memory are his son, Jay, Daughter in Law, Jennifer, his precious Granddaughter Jean; and his longtime Loving Special Girl, Kathy Hamilton, all of Nashville. Family Survivors also include Mother Sheila (Big Pine Key, Florida) his sister Sheila (Tim) Shelton(Alabama) two brothers Michael (Mike) Derwin (Nashville), Daniel (Danny) Derwin (Alabama), four nieces, three nephews, three great-nieces and one great-nephew. Extended family survivors include Jay's Mother, Angie Campau, Jay's four brothers, Cameron, Andrew, Neil, Sean, and countless friends and loved ones.
A Celebration of Life for Rick Derwin of Nashville Tennessee will be held on March 31, 2018, at Ellis Funeral Home, 2627 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. through 1 p.m. at which time the service will take place.
In lieu of flowers, a Grandpa Rick account has been set up in memory of his life and the love he had for his granddaughter. If you would like to make a donation, one can be made at any Regions Bank to the Jean Derwin/Kathy Hamilton account nicknamed Grandpa Rick.
Events
Celebration of Life
Saturday, March 31, 2018
10:00AM - 2:00PM
Ellis Funeral Home and Cremation Service
2627 Nolensville Pike
Nashville, TN 37211
Email: Ellisfuneralhome@comcast.net
Phone: (615) 255-5412
Service
Saturday, March 31, 2018
1:00PM - 1:30PM
Ellis Funeral Home and Cremation Service
2627 Nolensville Pike
Nashville, TN 37211
Email: Ellisfuneralhome@comcast.net
Phone: (615) 255-5412
Rick loved the water, be it ocean or lake. Rick had that "Keys" way of life, never in a hurry but taking the time to enjoy the ride. Rick brought so much happiness to so many people in life whose path he crossed. Rick's personality was larger than life and his generosity to others was unparalleled. He always had a big grin accompanying a Keys story which earned him the name, Key West Rick on the Lake. Rick always turned a stranger into a friend, he was loved by so many people and had more friends than one could begin to count. Rick had a heart of gold, everyone that met him loved him, he spread laughter and made people smile. When meeting anyone who knew Rick, the words "Everyone loves Rick" were always a part of the conversation. Rick was positive, no matter what happened or how tough the challenge. Rick lived life to the fullest in every way. He filled in that dash between the time we are born until the time we depart this earth with more life than most could pack into 100 years. If the chips were down, Rick found a way to make a silver lining and bounce back. If you had ever been on the water with Rick, you knew he was the one you wanted to be your Captain.
Rick's pride and joy was his son, Jay. Jay and his wife, Jennifer welcomed a baby girl, Jean. In December 2017, which Rick described as total bliss. He was so proud of becoming a Grandpa and just wanted to be someone she would be proud of, although he wasn't quite sold on that Grandpa name yet! His keepsake gift to Jean was a fish mobile, something he pondered and worried over because he wanted to pick out just the right fish and of course had no idea where to get a mobile. Jean is a lucky lady to have such a special gift from her Grandpa Rick to treasure as she grows. Rick's memory will be kept alive through the stories we share, but not by bouncing on his knee as we all would have preferred.
Rick was cherished and loved for 16 years by his longtime Special Girl Kathy who was the love of his life as he was of hers. While never married, it was not for lack of love. They were affectionately known throughout the lake community as "Ken and Barbie" and when seeing them together, it was easy to see their hearts belonged to each other as their heads were always velcroed together. Their relationship just worked on their terms, love like that is to be treasured and will live on in the memories that will never fade away.
By trade, Rick had a business and was an artistic Tile Setter. He did immaculate pools, doing inlays and special artistry effects, his work was impressive. He laid tile anywhere that tile could be laid and many lucky people have businesses or homes where Rick's special touches of work will live on forever. He had a special gift of design and a drive for perfection in his work. He followed in the footsteps of his father, Richard in his profession and while it was hard work, he loved doing it and was the best at his trade.
Rick is preceded in death by his father and namesake Richard Derwin, younger sister and brother, Laurie and John, respectively. Left to cherish his memory are his son, Jay, Daughter in Law, Jennifer, his precious Granddaughter Jean; and his longtime Loving Special Girl, Kathy Hamilton, all of Nashville. Family Survivors also include Mother Sheila (Big Pine Key, Florida) his sister Sheila (Tim) Shelton(Alabama) two brothers Michael (Mike) Derwin (Nashville), Daniel (Danny) Derwin (Alabama), four nieces, three nephews, three great-nieces and one great-nephew. Extended family survivors include Jay's Mother, Angie Campau, Jay's four brothers, Cameron, Andrew, Neil, Sean, and countless friends and loved ones.
A Celebration of Life for Rick Derwin of Nashville Tennessee will be held on March 31, 2018, at Ellis Funeral Home, 2627 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. through 1 p.m. at which time the service will take place.
In lieu of flowers, a Grandpa Rick account has been set up in memory of his life and the love he had for his granddaughter. If you would like to make a donation, one can be made at any Regions Bank to the Jean Derwin/Kathy Hamilton account nicknamed Grandpa Rick.
Events
Celebration of Life
Saturday, March 31, 2018
10:00AM - 2:00PM
Ellis Funeral Home and Cremation Service
2627 Nolensville Pike
Nashville, TN 37211
Email: Ellisfuneralhome@comcast.net
Phone: (615) 255-5412
Service
Saturday, March 31, 2018
1:00PM - 1:30PM
Ellis Funeral Home and Cremation Service
2627 Nolensville Pike
Nashville, TN 37211
Email: Ellisfuneralhome@comcast.net
Phone: (615) 255-5412
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