Derek Michael Neal was born on May 16, 2006. He passed away on April 19, 2021, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his father, David, his mother, Elan, and his brother, Toby. His grandparents, Donivan and Jeanne Neal, Donna Johnston, Richard and Suzanne DelConte. Beloved Aunts, cousins and many other family members.
Derek was a miracle child. He was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and had a heart transplant when he was four years old. He was recently diagnosed with PTLD, a rare form of cancer and was in remission. He spent four months in the ICU. He endured many surgeries and procedures which led to complications that his body could not recover from.
Derek always had a positive outlook even with all of the medical obstacles he faced. He loved amusement parks, going to the airport and his greatest passion was for trains. His two favorite railroads were CSX and Amtrak. He could tell you every detail of each railroad and he knew all of the locomotive types. He loved his cat, Rudy, with all of his heart and they had similar personalities. Derek will be greatly missed. If love could have saved him, he would have lived forever.
From the moment he was born, Derek showed us the meaning of true love. He was our brightest light.
Calling hours are Saturday, May 1, from 10am to 1pm at Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home at 7501 Pittsford-Palmyra Road in Fairport.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation, in Derek’s name, to Golisano Children’s Hospital or The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester, NY.
Comments
51 responses to “Neal, Derek M.”
Elan,
Our hearts hurt for you and your family. We are praying for comfort for you all ❤️
Don and Family,
We know your pain as we lost our son Ben last October. He also was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and had a heart transplant 8 years ago. He also had PTLD. We know what it is like to love and witness a child that had to endure so much yet remained full of love and compassion for others. I will pray for God’s peace and comfort. Please reach out to me if you would like to talk or get together. Your old golfing buddy, Jeffrey Mills
I would like to be your friend! 315-986-7322
I live on Waterford Road. I am praying for you all. If there is anything you need, please call
Don, Jeanne and your amazing family,
I just want to tell you how very sorry I am that you are no longer with your beautiful sweet Derek. But I know he will always remain with you in your hearts. Having a young granddaughter who has battled Cancer makes me know first hand how very strong you all must be. Spending night after night in the hospital and keeping his spirits up is not an easy task but Derek was very lucky and blessed to have had his family’s support and love. And his smile is infectious! I hope your memories will sustain and comfort you. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.❤️
My condolences to the Neal family. I used to work at the daycare Derek and Toby attended and it was a joy and privilege to care for the boys. I was proud to have helped with the pasta fundraiser years back and got a tattoo in his honor and to this day I still have that tattoo. Every time I look at my tattoo I think of Derek and it holds even more meaning now. Sending well wishes to the family
Elan, My heart is breaking for you and your family. Derek was always a sweet child. There are no words to comfort you but I hope the love and happy memories you made with him will help you get through this difficult and very sad time. My thoughts and prayers will always be with you!!! Sending love and prayers to you.
I dont know you or dont think I’ve meet you in our 4yrs of living on Locust Circle but my heart is breaking but at the same time rejoicing for you and your loved one.
I can only imagine your pain but I can imagine his joyous welcoming into the doors of Heaven.
I’m not the best cook but PLEASE!! PLEASE!! Reach out for a Puertorican dinner/meal or my husband makes great pizza.
Or anything else we can help you with. ??
My condolences.
You are all in our hearts and prayers ……what a handsome, brave young man…..what a beautiful, heavenly soul ?
Heartbroken for the Neal family, for Derek. What a stunningly beautiful tribute and pictures of this resilient young teenager. Not sure I’ll ever see a train in the same way again, so I’ll say a prayer for Derek and you when I do.
Dear Kim, Mr. and Mrs. Neal, David, Elan, Toby and all of your family,
Kim and I have been close friends since Nazareth High School, and so I feel as though I know and love all of you, and Derek, because of how much she has expressed that to me over the years, and in the recent, difficult months. I believe that you are a family of compassion, intelligence, and kindness, and it is clear, in looking at Derek’s beautiful eyes and smile, that those qualities shine so brightly in Derek’s heart. Sometimes it seems as though the lives that are much too short are the ones that show us the way, and shine the brightest, maybe a light for all of us. Thank you for being who you are and for sharing a glimpse of Derek’s life here. We are sorry for this unbearable pain, which words cannot describe. We can only hope that you will find some peace in knowing that this young man’s life and struggle is a tremendous inspiration, with effects beyond what you can imagine.
Words can’t express how sorry I am for the loss of dearest Derek for the Neal family. Derek suffers no more but the family does tremendously. May the Lord comfort the Neals during this difficult time.
My heart aches for you and your family. Kim, I am so sorry. Your nephew’s smile shows what a brave and happy little boy he was. I wish I could take some of the pain away. I love you and hold you and will reach out to you. Love, Elaine To Derek’s Mom and Dad, my wholehearted sympathy and love.
We are so sorry to hear of Derek’s passing. Our deepest sympathy.
Words can’t express how sorry I am to hear about the loss of little Derek. May the Lord comfort the Neal Family during this very difficult time. What a very special and brave young man Derek was. I will keep the family in my prayers and pray for peace and comfort.
God works in strange ways. Derek is with him now and at peace, no more pain and suffering. My condolences to the family and pray he will comfort all of you.
Elan, we never met Derek and we haven’t seen you in many years, but we send our love and prayers to you and your family. May God give you comfort and give Derek eternal peace and happiness. Linda and Bob Ramsey
Elan, Sending our deepest sympathies and love to you and your family. I wish we could have met Derek. You could see how his personality shined in his pictures and his smile. May God bless him and raise him up. Love, xo Cousins Danise , Tony, Michael and Nicholas Ciaccia
My thoughts and prayers for the Neal family and all who were a part of his life. Such a sweet looking young boy. May you find comfort in the memories you hold and find strength to get through this difficult time.
May God wrap his arms around each of you during this time and the days ahead. Prayers for the family
Elan – Our thoughts and prayers for you and your family at this time. I am glad that he is at peace now.
My sincere condolences,
Our deepest sympathy. Sending you strength and love. Caroline Mwakamui and Family
Elan and family, my thoughts and heart will always be with you. Sending love and prayers to you all.
Elan and family, My thoughts and prayers are with you all. My heart is broken for you all. I know no amount of words will ever take away your pain, but please be know your in my heart. He was truly the bravest. Sending you love and praying for peace during this difficult time.
Dave, Elan and Toby; I had the pleasure of knowing Derek the 3 years he was in middle school. Derek was a strong boy, with a positive outlook on life. He was happy, friendly and polite. Always with a smile. He will be missed by all. Condolences to you all.
To Dave, Elan, Toby, and family: I will always remember Derek’s smile and friendliness at RMES. He was a good friend to all in his classes, when I saw him in the library and computer lab. Derek and Toby share the same great sense of humor. I hope some day, you will be able to smile remembering all the funny, great times with each other. I send you my sincere sympathy during this time.
Derek was such a happy boy and I truly enjoyed having him in 4th grade. He loved his trains and he could always tell me which kind of train was going through just by listening to the whistle when we would have the windows open in class. He had the biggest smile and such a laugh. Derek will always hold a special place in my heart. My sincerest sympathy goes out to your family.
I am so sorry for your loss. I was fortunate to have Derek in my classes during all of middle school as his health teacher. I was always so inspired by his ability to smile and stay positive in spite of the challenges he faced with his health. I loved his giggle and his stories about trains. His life has impacted me in a very significant way. Because I was able to see how he faced adversity with courage, kindness and a positive attitude I am a better person. His life touched mine and many others. He is an example of a student who has taught me more about living than I taught him. May God bless him and keep him and may his smile stay forever in our hearts. Thank you for sharing your son with me.
Words cannot express how sorry I am for your loss. I had Derek in library class for several years at RMES, and I know he read every train book we own. He was such a bright personality and he had a wonderful sense of humor. He was kind to everyone. I consider myself very lucky to have had the opportunity to know him, and I will always remember him. Sending love and light to your family.
We are truly sorry for your loss and you are in our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
We are truly sorry for your loss and you are in our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
I’m truly sorry for your loss. Dave my sincere condolences to you and your entire family. Your son is a true inspiration.
I am so very sorry for your loss. In the short time that I got to know Derek in my English class this year, he certainly made a big impression. He was always the first student in the Zoom room. He always participated enthusiastically. And he gave everything his all no matter what. Words often escape me in times like this but I do know that students like Derek leave an imprint on my heart that will stay with me forever. Thank you for sharing him with me. May he rest in peace.
I am truly sorry for your loss. Although I did not get to know Derrick as well as I would have liked I heard wonderful things about him and his great personality. He has left a lasting impact on his peers and all those who knew him.
My condolences to the family that lost their angel. Elan my heart goes out to you, because you’ve been through a lot from the day Derek was born. I remember when he had his first surgery. I prayed for him and for you to ask the Lord to give you strength throughout your journey. And today I pray again to ask God to continue to give you strength and comfort as a lost of a child is not something a parent should go through. Mourn today and rejoice tomorrow, because little Derek needs to know his mom will okay so he can receive his wings to watch over you. Be strong.
My condolences to the family that lost their angel. Elan my heart goes out to you, because you’ve been through a lot from the day Derek was born. I remember when he had his first surgery. I prayed for him and for you to ask the Lord to give you strength throughout your journey. And today I pray again to ask God to continue to give you strength and comfort as a lost of a child is not something a parent should go through. Mourn today and rejoice tomorrow, because little Derek needs to know his mom will okay so he can receive his wings to watch over you. Be strong Elan and stay phenomenal.
Elan, my deepest condolences to you and your family during this time of such sorrow. What a beautiful young boy. I struggle to find the words to express how my heart aches for you, in your loss. I will be keeping you and your family in my prayers. Please reach out if I can be of any support, Elan, I love you my friend. Rest in peace, beautiful Derek, you are now a beautiful angel.
TO THE FAMILY OF DEREK, MY HEART BREAKS FOR YOUR INCREDABLE LOSS. WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CHILD, ALWAYS SMILING. NO CHILD SHOULD EVER HAVE TO ENDURE WHAT YOUR BOY HAS. PLEASE KNOW HE IS IN THE ARMS OF OUR LORD NOW WHOLE AND HEALTHY AGAIN NO MORE PAIN. MAY THE MEMORIES OF HIM HOLD YOU TIGHT AS YOU GO THROUGH THE DAYS AHEAD. THERE WILL BE A DAY WHEN YOU WILL HOLD YOUR BOY AGAIN…TRUST IN THE LORD.
From my family to yours, our deepest sympathies and prays to you and your family. May the memories of Derek make you smile!
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Elan and family–My deepest sympathy in the wake of this unfathomable loss.
Elan, I am very sorry for your loss. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
I am so sorry for your loss, with deepest sympathy and thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
Elan and family- sending you prayers for strength as you find your way through each day.
I’m truly thankful that I had the pleasure of getting to know Derek in my 7th grade ELA class. Even when struggling with his health, there was always a smile on his face, and he would happily engage in conversation. His positivity in the face of such adversity continues to amaze me; it puts a lot of our daily difficulties in perspective, for sure. When asked what his favorite writing piece was in 7th grade, this was what he picked: a list of memories. He says, “some important, some not,” but I would argue that in times like these, they are ALL important. I’ll post that separately. I’ll be thinking of you and your family moving forward.
I Remember Poem
By Derek Neal
I remember when I had my heart surgery.
I remember when I went to NYC.
I remember when my mom took me to Hershey Park.
I remember when I went to Alabama
I remember when I went to Myrtle Beach
I remember when I had a lung surgery to help see what is wrong with my lung.
I remember when I got my 2 cats in 4th grade.
I remember when I went to Florida for make-a-wish.
I remember when I got my first phone.
I remember when I almost ran home from a daycare.
I remember when I threw up on a bus from a field trip from a daycare.
I remember when I got a GP-40 from a game that I paid for.
I remember when I first started my treatments for my lungs.
I remember when I got a GIANT gummy bear.
I remember when I started kindergarten.
I remember when I got a 100% on a 4th grade math test.
I remember when I beat Minesweeper.
I remember when I went to Nashville then down to Alabama.
That’s what I remember–some important and some not.
June 18, 2019
Elan, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Elan, I am so sorry for your loss. Derek was a very special child and I’m sure he’ll be missed by many. Enjoyed Derek’s poem. Lots of good memories.
Dear Elan and family, please accept our condolences. Sending love, thoughts, and prayers your way. May God grant you peace knowing that you will be together again.
Elan I am so heartbroken and deeply sorry for your loss. My family sends their swepest sympathy.
My condolences to you and your family. May loving and happy memories bring you comfort and peace.
Elan, I’m so very sorry to learn of the loss of your son. My heart is breaking for you. I will continue to keep you and your family in my prayers.