GyBill
05-31-2009, 07:31 PM
Edward S. Derbin of West Scranton died Tuesday at home. His wife, the former Kathryn Forkal, died May 5, 2002.
Born March 7, 1926, in Scranton, son of the late Joseph and Mary Pietrowski Derbin. He was educated at West Scranton High School. In 1944, at the age of 18, he became the third son of the family to enlist during World War II, joining the Marine Corps. He was soon deployed to the Pacific front and served with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 9th Regiment, 3rd Division at Guam and Iwo Jima. One week after turning 19, he was critically wounded during the battle of Iwo Jima and received a Purple Heart. After receiving an honorable discharge, he returned home to Scranton. He then attended Johnson College, earning a degree in architecture design. Before retirement, he had a 39-year career with PennDOT. He was a bridge design squad leader and was responsible for the inspection and design of highway structures in Northeast Pennsylvania.
He was an active member of SS. Peter and Paul Church, Northeastern Marine Corps League, Knights of Columbus, VFW and American Legion. For several years, he served as president of the Polish Progressive Club of Scranton. Most importantly, he was known to everyone as a honorable man with a friendly smile and handlebar moustache. He and his wife always opened their home and their hearts to all the nieces and nephews, their kindness was deeply appreciated by all and won't ever be forgotten.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses of Mercy Hospice.
Surviving are a sister, Estelle Davis, Bar Harbor, Maine; several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
He also was preceded in death by four brothers, Stanley, Joseph, Chester and Henry; and a sister, Ann Derbin Ferkile.
The funeral will be Saturday with Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in SS. Peter and Paul Church, 1309 W. Locust St., Scranton. Interment with military honors will be at the convenience of the family in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Scranton.
Friends may call Friday, 5 to 8 p.m., at the Patrick F. Guido Funeral Home, 120 S. Main Ave., Scranton. Memorial contributions may be made to SS. Peter and Paul Church or the Northeast Detachment Marine Corps League, 1340 Alder St., P.O. Box 1775, Scranton, PA 18519. Visit wwwpatrickguido funeralhome.com. For directions, information or to send an online condolence.
Born March 7, 1926, in Scranton, son of the late Joseph and Mary Pietrowski Derbin. He was educated at West Scranton High School. In 1944, at the age of 18, he became the third son of the family to enlist during World War II, joining the Marine Corps. He was soon deployed to the Pacific front and served with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 9th Regiment, 3rd Division at Guam and Iwo Jima. One week after turning 19, he was critically wounded during the battle of Iwo Jima and received a Purple Heart. After receiving an honorable discharge, he returned home to Scranton. He then attended Johnson College, earning a degree in architecture design. Before retirement, he had a 39-year career with PennDOT. He was a bridge design squad leader and was responsible for the inspection and design of highway structures in Northeast Pennsylvania.
He was an active member of SS. Peter and Paul Church, Northeastern Marine Corps League, Knights of Columbus, VFW and American Legion. For several years, he served as president of the Polish Progressive Club of Scranton. Most importantly, he was known to everyone as a honorable man with a friendly smile and handlebar moustache. He and his wife always opened their home and their hearts to all the nieces and nephews, their kindness was deeply appreciated by all and won't ever be forgotten.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses of Mercy Hospice.
Surviving are a sister, Estelle Davis, Bar Harbor, Maine; several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
He also was preceded in death by four brothers, Stanley, Joseph, Chester and Henry; and a sister, Ann Derbin Ferkile.
The funeral will be Saturday with Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in SS. Peter and Paul Church, 1309 W. Locust St., Scranton. Interment with military honors will be at the convenience of the family in SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Scranton.
Friends may call Friday, 5 to 8 p.m., at the Patrick F. Guido Funeral Home, 120 S. Main Ave., Scranton. Memorial contributions may be made to SS. Peter and Paul Church or the Northeast Detachment Marine Corps League, 1340 Alder St., P.O. Box 1775, Scranton, PA 18519. Visit wwwpatrickguido funeralhome.com. For directions, information or to send an online condolence.