David P. Derrig, of Tamworth, N.H., formerly of Alna, North Dighton and Fall River, Mass., passed away peacefully while surrounded by family on Nov. 28 at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough.
He was born on Nov. 12, 1931 in Fall River, Mass. to the late Francis and Margaret (Fitzgerald) Derrig, and was predeceased by his brothers Daniel and James.
He served in the U.S. Army in the Korean Conflict, interpreting aerial photography to identify enemy troop movements and secure locations. For over 45 years he worked at the Fall River Herald News before retiring to the village of Head Tide along the Sheepscot River in Alna.
He was a voracious reader of newspapers, mysteries and action novels, loved puttering in his yard and workshop, and never tired of watching repeats of any James Bond movie. His favorite times were holiday visits with all of his grandchildren and children at grandma and grandpa’s house.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Julia (Couto) Derrig; children, David Jr. and wife Lauren of Littleton, Mass., Deborah Dauray and husband Jack of South Kingstown, R.I., and Michael Derrig and wife Lorraine Borden of Madison, N.H.; grandchildren, Michael, Andrew, Matthew, and Emily Derrig, and Brandon and Brianna Dauray; and several wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.
A private memorial service and celebration of his life with family and friends will be held in Maine in the spring.
