Derrick Patrick Wainwright of Acworth, Georgia passed away peacefully on Monday May 20th, 2024, at the age of 81 years old. He will always be remembered by family and friends for his insightful guidance, willingness to walk with others through adversity, and a sense of humor that took delight in the absurd.
Derrick was born on March 31st, 1943, to Yvonne and George Wainwright in Bhusawal, India. When he was 7 years old, Derrick attended the school of Christ Church in Bombay, now Mumbai. He spent the majority of his youth at the Barnes School, a boarding high school in West India. He completed his A-Levels at the Cathedral and John Connon High School in Bombay. After repatriation back to United Kingdom, Derrick joined the Royal Air Force when he was 18 years old and served for the next eight years in the strategic bomber force. When asked to describe his service, he would say “We flew around following Russian submarines. Or maybe whales. Tough to tell from an airplane.”
When stationed in Derry, Northern Ireland, Derrick met his wife Claire on July 8th, 1966 at a social dance. He was smitten at first sight. For the next 58 years, Derrick was a devoted husband who cherished his Irish Rose; there are no words to capture how much she meant to him. Claire remains the love of his life.
After his service in the Royal Air Force, Derrick entered the world of private enterprise where he had a successful executive career in the Magnetics & Polymers industries, and later his career brought him Canada and the United States. In the second half of his career, Derrick founded multiple small businesses focused on hardware for Information Technologies. Coworkers and clients always felt welcomed, accepted, and loved as extensions of his family.
In his retirement, Derrick travelled the world with his wife visiting different continents to explore and enjoy the beauty of this world. He became an active member at St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic church and then a founding family member for St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church. He joined the Knights of Columbus and found fulfillment serving in the Acworth chapter of St. Vincent de Paul, an organization dedicated to providing help and hope to neighbors in need.
Derrick is survived by his beloved wife, Claire; sons, Mark (Lisa) & Simon; granddaughters, Lindsay and Aria; sisters, Zenita and Sylvia. He is preceded in death by parents Yvonne and George; brother, Valentine; sister, Marina. Derrick’s sons proudly continue his legacy of love for others, dedication to family, and a well-executed prank.
The funeral mass will be held at 10:30 am May 23rd, 2024, at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church in Acworth, GA. All are welcome to attend.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Georgia Ministry or St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church.
The family would like to thank the staff of Verenitas of West Cobb and Trinity Hospice Care for their dedicated, loving care for the past 6 months.
If Derrick had to share a parting lesson, he would say; Life is serious, but don’t take it too seriously. Hug your family, help a neighbor, break out of pack of cards to play a game of Hearts, shoot for the moon, pour yourself a glass of Scrumpy’s hard cider, laugh heartily, dine on a cut of lamb shank, and finish the meal with a golden crème brûlée while wearing a silly hat.
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