Avon Obituary: Derek Stockwell, 36

Our beloved, Derek Justin Stockwell, passed away suddenly on Friday, August 25, 2017.

Derek was born in New Britain on December 10, 1980, to the proud parents of Robert Caleb and Kathleen Marie (Mals) Stockwell Jr. Derek was a member of St. Ann’s Church in Avon for many years and made his 1st Holy Communion and Confirmation there, and also played on the St. Ann’s Church basketball league. Derek enjoyed youth sports and participated in Avon Little League and Babe Ruth League for several years, as well as playing on the Pop Warner football league. He was also a member of Cub Scouts; winning a Trophy for the Soap Box Derby.

Derek played hockey on the tri-town division Pee Wee C at Avon Old Farms as well. In High School, he was a member of the wrestling team and had won a trophy one year for “fastest pin” and their HS Team won the League Championship in Wrestling for the year 1997-1998. He was a graduate of Avon High School 2001.

Derek was an avid Boston Red Sox and Dallas Cowboys fan. He loved sports and could tell you the names of every player, trades and statistics. He was an “old school” Hartford Whalers fan and attended their last game in Hartford on April 13, 1997 with his family. During his youth, he enjoyed weekends with his family on Grandpa Stockwell’s boat, the Lady Anna, and he loved the yearly family vacations to Daytona Beach, Fl. He enjoyed working at Miller Foods and doing construction work as well.

Recently, he was a meticulous landscaper with a privately owned family company. He was an extremely accomplished hard worker. Derek enjoyed sharing precious time and moments with his family: his mom and dad, sisters and brother-in-law, nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, and numerous cousins. When gathered with family for our infamous “card games”, Derek was a great player and formidable opponent, especially at “Texas Hold’em”.

Derek had the biggest heart and was always compassionate and loving to all, being quick to lend a hand to anyone. Moments with him will forever be cherished and emblazoned on our hearts. Derek’s favorite time, he said, was “riding in the truck with his Uncle Dave, talking and laughing”. He was a good soul and had a great heart: “The Big D”. He achieved his goal of being happy and having family surrounding him with acceptance, inclusivity and love.

He is survived by his beloved loving and supportive family, parents Robert and Kathleen Stockwell Jr., sister Jessica and husband Jason Rivera, sister Jaclyn Stockwell and nephews and nieces Joseph Shilinga Jr., Devin and Ariyana Ortiz, Maritza, Destiny, Javian and Jayce Rivera, and Amiyah Santiago along with numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Derek was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather and grandmother Robert and Anna Stockwell and maternal grandmother Virginia Mals Dunn & grandfathers Stanley Mals and Eugene Dunn.

Every time anyone asked Derek “How are you doing?”, he would respond with a bright and brilliant smile on his face: “Living the dream!”. Derek’s life was one of meaning for us all, to remember how to love unconditionally…

Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Tuesday (Aug. 29) from 5:00-8:00pm. Funeral procession from The Ahern Funeral Home will be Wednesday (Aug. 30) at 9:15am followed by the Funeral Liturgy in the Church of St. Ann, Avon at 10:00am. Burial will be in St. Ann Cemetery, Avon.