1932 – 2015

LEWISTON — Donald Joseph Derosby, who was born June 13, 1932, and died Thursday, Feb. 12, enlisted and served with distinction in combat in Korea in the U.S. Army, First Armored Division, as a half-track gunner during the Inchon Invasion from 1949 to 1953.

He worked subsequently as a railroad brakeman, a doughnut maker, a construction worker, a baker, a life insurance salesman, a shoe salesman, a bread route driver, a short-haul trucker, and a maintenance man. None of these occupations ever defined him.

He lived his entire adult life in Auburn, from 1953 until 1977, and Lewiston, from 1977 until 2015. He was a devout Catholic and attended Mass at St. Louis and Holy Cross Parishes. He held an unwavering belief in a generous and forgiving God. He was a good dancer. He was a natty dresser. He was a passable cribbage player and would cheat if given the opportunity.

He was skeptical of all baseball umpires, most politicians and many vegetables. He was an amateur boxer who admired Joe Louis and Mohammed Ali. He mourned the loss of John Kennedy. He saw Ted Williams play. He covered his heart with his hand during the national anthem but did not worry much if others failed to follow his lead. He liked dogs and they liked him. He loved elephants. He was patient with people and impatient with things. He was an enthusiastic car camper and took his family on many weekend excursions. He was proud of camping equipment he made himself (even when it failed to keep the rain off).

He liked to make pancakes. He was drawn to big cars but purchased smaller ones. He owned a string of screaming lemons. He once brought home an enormous yellow rubber raft and often led it into family battle on Range Pond. He was a conscientious driver. He liked reading history. He voted for Democrats. He loved the Red Sox almost as much as he hated the Yankees. He loved pepperoni pizza, his own chili and spicy food of any kind. He became engrossed with an endless series of home maintenance projects and was at peace when mowing his lawn. He liked making things with his hands. He showed great courage in the face of pain. He was happiest when with his family. He loved to talk to his children and grandchildren, but not on the phone. He never gave up.

He loved only one woman, Georgette Derosby, and he remained her faithful and loving husband for 60 years. He was a proud father to five children and their partners, Tony Derosby and Janice L. Moore (Freeport), Pat and Robert Gagne (Johnston, Iowa), Don Derosby (Montclair, N.J.), Lisa and David Jones (Accord, N.Y.), and Jennifer Derosby and Kimberly Fronapfel (Denver, Colo.). His greatest joy was his grandchildren, Cory Beth Monnens (Minneapolis, Minn.), Gordon Jones (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Evan Derosby (Boston, Mass.), Cole Derosby (Montclair, N.J.), Monica Gagne (Minneapolis, Minn.), Sophie Claus (Beverly, Mass.), Iris Jones (New York, N.Y.), Leo Derosby (Montclair, N.J.), and Adelaide Derosby-Fronapfel (Denver, Colo.). He is survived by his brothers and sisters, who include Cecile Belanger (Lewiston), Muriel Bernier (Lewiston), Dan and Jean Vachon (Farmingdale), Connie Roy (Auburn), Del Lessard (Auburn), Sr. Claire Lessard (New Brunswick, N.J.), Ray and Yolande Lessard (Livermore), Pauline Girard (San Luis Obispo, Calif.), and his best friend and companion of almost 50 years, Roland Metayer (Lewiston).

He never knew his worth.