Derek E. Tebbetts
1971 – 2009
AUBURN — Derek Eugene Tebbetts, 38, of Saco, passed away Aug. 14, in Auburn, after a long and courageous battle with brain cancer.
He was born in Portland, May 28, 1971, to William Cleaves Tebbetts and Lucille Joanne (Woodcock) Tebbetts.
He graduated from Yarmouth High School in 1989.
After graduation, he enlisted in the Army, where he served in Korea, specializing in intelligence. He continued his work in security for the Salvation Army, doing various concerts and public events for the city of Portland. For the last eight years, he worked in security/maintenance for the Portland Museum of Art, where he continued to work until his illness no longer allowed him to. One of his many passions was computers, where he put those skills to work at his job, and was constantly puttering on them in his personal time as well.
His many passions included playing golf, computer technology, art, history, science fiction and video games. He was a kid at heart. He loved the outdoors, whether it be going for walks with his beloved Bootsie, his Burmese Mountain dog, and playing endlessly with Charlie, the kitty, or on his companions family boat, deep sea fishing. He loved to go camping with his family on long excursions up north, hoping for the biggest trout. He was an avid fisherman and loved spending time with his family.
He is survived by his father, William Cleaves Tebbetts; his wife, Pat of Portland; his sister, Debra Lynn McNamara and her husband, Dennis, of Durham; his brother, William Leon Tebbetts, and wife, Cindy, their two children, Michael and Jason of Jacksonville, Fla.; he will be missed by his nieces and nephew, Shelley McNamara-Cary, and her children, Courtney and Victoria of Cumberland, Denise McNamara, her husband Cory Hubert and their children, Elyssa, Devin, and Tarra of Lisbon and Dennis McNamara and his wife, Amy, and their children, Michael, Nicholas and Madison, of Lisbon; he leaves his best friend and companion, Melissa Kany; their beloved dog, Bootsie; and cuddly cat, Charlie; and Adam Chesley, a supportive friend of East Sumner.
He was predeceased by his mother, Joanne Tebbetts.
We would also like to thank his amazing extended family at the Portland Museum of Art, you made his life so much richer. And to the many old friends and teachers from Yarmouth High School, who brightened his days and put a smile on his face.
A special thank-you, to the nursing staff at MMC, and the Androscoggin Hospice. You truly made a difference, everyday with your kind, compassionate, and thoughtful care. His life was so peaceful because of all of your endless time and help. Without you, we could not have gotten through this as well as we did.