there is so much to say about my buddy Derrick,i will try to honor him with some memories mourn the loss of such a good guy and a great friend to me.when i first met Derrick many moons ago through his brother Pete,he was a bit older and was quite intimidating with his handlebar mustache and long hair,"don't you guys even think of going near my ford escort GT he said.the rexilius household in bonavista was a hangout hotspot for us all and we grew into a tightknit crew.as i look at pictures of when he was a kid i was stunned to see him with short hair,i could have sworn he was born with his fabi"oldie" long hair.as the years passed by i learned alot from Derrick and alot about him.who hasn't settled a score with google search? thats if he didn't already have a trick up his sleeve,but he never rubbed it in.he had his own idea and theorys by the bushell.although his hair was a constant Derrick went through many fazes along the way,i can recall karate and him getting his professional massuse lisence.he settled down to what was in his blood,masonary.he was so good at it in school he was invited back to teach and a one time had his own company the masonary men.another passion of his was cooking,especially his traditional family recipes fish bosh and rouladin.he beamed with pride to host his family for christmas dinner under his own roof as a homeowner in makenzie.one of our favorite things to do together was play a board game axis & allies,this is where i think his debating skills were truly honed,propaganda was a big part of his game.he beat me in our last game with some rouge u-boat tactics and some airplane moves that really didn't make any sense,well to me at least.i will waiting on the rematch.speaking of games,derrick had game or should i say a way with the ladies.from out dueling me at the kings head pub for the affection of a lady in his construction clothes while i'm in my favorite lucky shirt.he was laid up in the hospital driving the nurses bonkers but still managed to land a phone number.we enjoyed many ski trips together but if he couldn't make it he would ask about the ski bunnies before anything about the snow or weather.i have to tell ya he rode big ol' ski's,like twice his hieght is about right but he worked it and was quite good at it as well.really he enjoyed alot of things but he was happy just to be cut in,to around people he liked and help them out.he mended fences both literally and figuratively the last 2 years or so derrick had been doing well.better and happier than i have seen him in awhile.i believe some of had to do with his motorbike.he was stoked,having a good ol time on his last.proud as a peacock.i was blessed to spend it with him.on a more personal note,i would like to thank everyone for there support and being there for me.i sotra feel like like the bell of the ball,only in a horror movie.Pete,Andrina and Theresa have given me a lesson in strength this week that i will learn from.i have had so many memories come back to me,it has been fun telling and hearing them all.some of the stories i never knew have been my favorites.so feel free to share them all.i have felt a burden on my shoulders and heart over this past week,i choose to turn this burden into something light that lifts me because Derrick will live on in my heart.i will use the pain i feel now to relish the day and the moment because thats the way Derrick lived his.i think he would have wanted it that way and i know he didn't want to hurt anyone in life or now.so when im floating down the bow or out at a rock concert i will savour them more with him looking down on me with that smirk on his face when he knew he was right and thats how ill remember him.i loved you mench