Harold Vincent Smith better known lovingly as “Derrick” was born in Jamaica, W.I. on June 28, 1959, to Albert & Leberness Smith. He migrated to the United States in 1980 where he resided in Brooklyn, NY. He attended the Apex Technical School for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning repair. He then went on to attend Pace University. In 1986, Derrick began his career at Berkley Capital Partners on the infamous Wall Street, where he worked as a Broker’s Assistantfor 13 years. In 1989, he met Jacqueline Melbourne, they later married and share three children, Tawana, Harold Jr., and Kevin. In 2001, Derrick and his family migrated to Florida where he worked at Riveria Elementary School and was awarded Employee of the Year for several years.
Derrick was a pivotal figure in the Palm Bay and Melbourne, Florida community. He was a member of the Brevard Caribbean American Sports & Cultural Association (BCASCA), in which he assisted with bringing people of the Caribbean diaspora together. He was an avid jokester and storyteller, always bringing love and laughter to people he encountered throughout his journey in life. He was well known for his authentic Caribbean cooking and his love of sports, namely Track & Field and Soccer.
Derrick had a huge heart and personality. He adopted and fostered children in need of love and guidance. He poured into his family and friends, he was a constant and reliable force in all their lives. He nurtured his nieces and nephews, providing immeasurable advice on education, life, and the importance of having a loving and clean heart. He provided counsel to his brothers and sisters, always advising them to find the light within the darkness. He was the backbone for his parents, always willing and ready, whether asked or not, to aid them in their daily needs. His love for his children was beyond measure and his love for his wife was eternal. He had hoped to grow old with his wife Jackie but stated that God had other plans for him. In the days leading to his transition, he urged the family to stay together in love and in fellowship. Derrick was a true disciple of God’s teachings and it was personified in his words and deeds everyday of his life. His influence will live on for generations to come and he will never leave our hearts and minds.
2 Corinthians 5:8, states “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” and we know our beloved was welcomed by the father with open arms. Derrick is survived by his parents Albert & Leberness Smith, his wife Jacqueline Melbourne-Smith, his children Tawana, Harold Jr., and Kevin, his siblings and their spouses Verona Smith, Richard & Sonia Smith, Marcia Brown, Doreen & Michael Sinckler, Stephen & Marlene Smith, Joan & Kevin Largie, and Anetta & Don Hoyte; as well as by his nieces and nephews and their spouses (David Smith, Cavell Smith, Alafia & Julian Hampden, Jayan Thomas, Latonja & Alexander Tax, Michael Issacs, Oliver Sinckler, Kemar & Channel Smith, Jonathan & Brooke Issacs, Tyler Noel, Zachary Smith, Amirah Wiley, Xenobia Blair, and Tristan Noel. Derrick also had a plethora of Aunts, Uncles, great nieces and nephews along with a slew of cousins.
Derrick was the light of our lives and the wind beneath our wings. We will love and miss him forever and a day.
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