Derek Christopher Pearl passed away unexpectedly on August 22, 2023 at the age of 39. He grew up a true child of the 80s, having adventures with Ninja Turtle and G.I. Joe figurines, and was often found running around in the woods wearing proton packs with his best friend. As he hit the teenage years, he was always up for driving with the windows down on backroads to the local Dairy Queen, belting out Springsteen’s “Born To Run”. He loved getting home from school and watching Good Will Hunting on VHS, seeing it so many times he turned quotes like “Oh, hello” and “Chuck, I had a double burger” into never ending inside jokes. He also spent many days and nights hanging and helping out at ‘the farm’ with friends, which he loved.
Though he was never into playing organized sports, he was always up for a game of football, wiffleball and street hockey with the neighborhood kids. He was a huge Boston sports fan, and how could he not be with his namesake being the Boston Bruins’ Derek Sanderson? He loved Sunday games days; his favorite sports moment, cheering on the 2001 Patriots at the Super Bowl Parade was briefly eclipsed when he landed a hole-in-one playing golf at the John F. Parker Golf Course in Taunton, MA.
His loyalty and work ethic shined through his whole life, both personally and professionally. If anyone were to bring this up, he would proudly, wryly claim it was because of his Lithuanian heritage. No matter his circumstances, if you needed help with something, Derek would jump in without hesitation. Whether it was assisting a friend with tree removal, moving furniture, or mixing concrete at ten o’clock at night to repair crumbling porch steps - he was always there for you (sometimes grumbling), but he took pride in his craftsmanship on tasks both large and small, and never wanted to make a big deal about what he had done to help out.
Professionally, he was a hardworking and dedicated employee of Peak/Riley Brothers in Stoughton/New Bedford, MA., working in various foreman positions, always picking up extra hours to help out, and excelling at leading and training the crew around him. He was never satisfied until a project was done and done right.
That’s not to say that he didn’t have his struggles. You’d be hard pressed to find a more stubborn individual (we have yet to find anyone else who is). He carried a lot, but he knew (even if he didn’t want to admit it) that he was always within an arm's reach of friends, coworkers and family who loved him and would be there for him in the good times, hard times, and hilarious times. Regardless of how you knew Derek, he always had the ability to make you laugh with his sarcastic, sometimes wacky, a little brash, usually outrageous humor. We only wish he could be here for us now to keep us laughing during this incredibly difficult time.
Derek leaves behind his mother Barbara Roberts of Taunton, MA; father Dennis Pearl of Carver, MA; his ‘Sis’ Holly Louise Perry, ‘Big B’ Brandon Perry, nephew and niece Jasper and Violet Perry of Killingworth, CT; the loves of his life Leonor Mabrouk, son Brayden Pearl, and Kaidence of Taunton, MA; as well as several uncles, aunts, and cousins.
Derek has reunited with the other love of his life (his dog), Buford T. Justice, and his grandparents Frank and Louise Roberts.
Visiting hours will be held on Saturday SEPTEMBER 9, 2023 from 1 to 3 pm in the chapel of the Silva Funeral Home 80 Broadway (at Saint Mary’s Square) Taunton. Additional parking with handicap access is located on the North side of the funeral home.
His burial will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, please tell someone you care about that you love them. We have also set up a fund to help provide for Derek’s son Brayden’s future. https://gofund.me/1b492c8e
For expressions of sympathy, to sign an online guestbook or to light a memorial candle, visit www.silvafuneralhome.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Derek C. Pearl, please visit our flower store.