Obituary : Derek Cimeno
Derek Cimeno, born on Feb. 23, 1970, died unexpectedly on September 14 at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston. He was 39 years old.
Derek was a devoted father to his son, Anthony Joseph Cimeno, and long-time companion to the mother of his son, Patricia Bonito. He is survived by his mother, Patricia (Gleason) Cimeno and siblings, Bryan, Robert, Gregory, Jeffrey and Suzanne Cimeno. He was predeceased by his father, Robert F. Cimeno.
He grew up in West Chop in Vineyard Haven, went to the Tisbury School, Martha's Vineyard Regional High School, and then Edison Community College in Fort Myers, Fla. As a young boy, he enjoyed playing football in the snow with just a tee-shirt on. When he was growing up, he worked with his father at his bike shop, drove a taxi for his family's business, Patti's Taxi, and spent much time with his pit bull Sasha, who he loved dearly but sadly lost years ago. Later, he became the assistant shellfish constable and then the Town of Tisbury Shellfish Constable. His passion for his job grew every day. He took great pride in his job and in all of his accomplishments, the Tashmoo Herring run, the Lagoon, seeding the ponds every year to give Tisbury the best shellfish crop on the Island.
Derek was a huge sports fan. He loved the Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, Celtics, Bruins, and Boston College. You would often see him at the high school football games as well. Derek was the coach for his son's baseball team, was involved with Anthony's school activities, and planned field trips for them to learn about the Island's shellfish and herring runs. He had a great way about him that all the children loved.
His many nieces and nephews - Joceyln, Amanda, Caitlyn, Gregory, Lindsay, Olivia, Ashley, Emily, Jeffrey, Bryan, Alyssa, and Brendyn - will all miss their uncle Derek tremendously. He was an uncle every child wishes they had. Sleepovers and football games, pool parties and cookouts were favorite activities of the family and friends. Derek knew how to live life and have fun. During his days at the Ag Fair with his son and nieces and nephews, he claimed he was the Wack a Mole champion, always winning animal prizes for the kids. Now the kids cherish those animals as they lie on their beds every day and are a constant reminder of their uncle Derek.
Derek loved the music of Billy Joel and Neil Diamond. Later he became a great fan of country music as well. He was a friend to everyone with a big smile and huge heart, and had a family that loved him and that he loved very much.
He was predeceased by his grandparents Clarence A. Gleason (Papa Gleason), who Derek admired and shared his great love of the Red Sox, and grandmother Pauline Gleason; and grandmother Mary (Nana) Cimeno. He leaves behind two wonderful aunts who meant the world to him: Priscilla Johnson and her husband, Robert Johnson, of Dedham, and Candice White and her husband, Harold While, of Georgetown, Maine. He also leaves behind many more aunts, uncles, and cousins, and many friends who cared so much for him. He will be missed but never forgotten. He will live in all of our hearts forever.
A service will be held at the Chapman Cole and Gleason Funeral Home at 12 noon on Saturday, Sept. 26, with the Rev. Roger Spinney officiating. A celebration of life follows at the Portuguese-American Club in Oak Bluffs. Friends are welcome to bring a dessert to share. A marine biology scholarship fund has been set up at the Martha's Vineyard Savings Bank in memory of Derek. Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for an online register book.
