Thomas B. Derrick, CEO of Sea Shell Shop

Thomas “Tom” Bennett Derrick, 60, of Rehoboth Beach, died peacefully Saturday, Aug. 6, 2011, at his home surrounded by his family.  Born in El Paso, Texas, he was the son of the late Horace Frederick Derrick and Iva Thomas Derrick.  He is survived by his beloved wife Patty Derrick.

Tom was a graduate of the University of Texas in Austin.  He was the owner and proprietor of the Sea Shell Shop in Rehoboth.  He was a member of St. Edmond Catholic Church in Rehoboth where he served on the parish council as secretary, was a Eucharistic minister and was co-chair of family life.

He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, past treasurer of the Rehoboth Downtown Business Association, and a one-time member of the Rehoboth Lions Club and Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company.  He was an avid golfer, skier and scuba diver.   He was a sailing enthusiast and loved to travel with his wife Patty and their close friends Nick and Cindy Del Campo.

Along with his wife he is survived by his children, John Michael Derrick of Rehoboth Beach, Susan Jeanne Derrick of Los Angeles, Calif., and James Frederick Derrick, his wife Julie and their daughter Harper May Derrick, all of Rehoboth Beach; a brother, Col. (Retired) Robert R. Derrick and his wife Mary of Laurel, Md., and children Nicole Derrick Craven, Anthony Jenkins Derrick and Matthew Jackson Derrick,.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m., Friday, Aug. 12, at St. Edmond Catholic Church, 409 King Charles Ave., Rehoboth Beach, where Patty will greet friends at 10 a.m.  The Rev. Philip Sheekey will officiate, assisted by the Rev. Ray Forester.  Keep in mind Tom was a happy man and would want us to celebrate his life in a happy way like we were all in Hawaii on vacation (a place he loved).  We would not mind of you came in your Hawaiian shirts and skip the tie.  It would make Tom and me smile. Interment will be private for the family.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Johns Hopkins Hospital, Kimmell Cancer Center, St. Edmond Catholic Church, PO Box 646, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971 or Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.  Arrangements are being handled by the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin, Md.