Donald Robert Derby Sr.

OSWEGO – June 3, 2026, Donald Robert Derby Sr., 77, passed away at his home in Lady Lake, Florida, on June 3, 2026.

 Born in Rochester, NY, on August 31, 1948, to the late Richard and Jean Derby, Don was raised on a farm in Sterling, NY, and attended Hannibal Central School. While attending a Halloween party at 16 years old, Don picked up a dead crow and chased a cute girl. That girl, Bonnie Lou (Shear) of Hannibal, NY, became his girlfriend. In July of 1968, Don and Bonnie were married at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Hannibal, NY, and Bonnie became his inseparable wife for life. Don was raised Catholic and was a true believer in Christ.  After graduating high school, Don and Bonnie remodeled the old farmhouse on Don’s grandfather Lyman Derby’s farm in Sterling, NY, turning it into a family home and working farm. In August 1969, they welcomed their first son, Donald Robert Derby Jr., into the world.  On August 12, 1970, Don was sworn into the Syracuse Police Department and attended the Police Academy.  Two weeks later, Thomas Lyman Derby, their second son, was born. Don, at 21 years old, became a patrolman and then an “Officer Friendly.” Don spent most of his career assigned to the Community Relations Division. It was during his time at the SPD that he became known as “The Duck” to his friends.  Don was a talented carpenter, electrician, mechanic, and farmer, but one of his most notable traits was his ability to effortlessly build personal relationships both inside and outside the police department. He used his relationships and trade skills throughout his career to accomplish many things that would not be possible today. Some of his nontraditional police assignments included wiring the first repeater towers the police department used; trading materials among various city departments to build police storefront locations; moving, wiring, and installing command post trailers at various locations; driving the Police Bicentennial float tractor-trailer during the 1976 Bicentennial Parade; having a business friend loan him a tractor and plow, which Don used to turn vacant city lots into neighborhood gardens; and even having the DPW transport his farm equipment to Syracuse. Don then mowed the hay in the median of Erie Boulevard East and baled it to feed the elephant at the city-owned zoo. Don also drove his personally owned tractor-trailer while working undercover with the SPD Vice Squad, with great success. He especially enjoyed taking senior citizens on police-sponsored bus trips, using a bus he obtained for the department at a cost of just $1. If something needed to be done behind the scenes, Don could do it, or he had a relationship with someone who could make it happen. Many stories involve “The Duck.” Don was a true example of treating people as you want to be treated, and it showed.  A third son, Richard Emerson Derby, was welcomed in April of 1981. Don discontinued farming to begin a small trucking business at home. He continued his career with the Syracuse Police Department until he retired in May of 1991.  Don’s eldest son became a U.S. Marine in 1988 and fought in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.  Their second son followed his father and entered the Syracuse Police Academy in April of 1991. At graduation, Don pinned his badge on Tom’s chest, a badge Tom carried for another 25 years. Their youngest son also became a U.S. Marine in 2000 and fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.  After retirement, Don continued his trucking business, which led him to work in Georgia and Florida. In 1997, Don and Bonnie sold the farmstead and moved to Fort Myers, Florida. He continued trucking for several years until he bought a septic business with his oldest son Donald, which they successfully operated for several years before they sold.  Don later enjoyed his time at Jensen’s Marina on Sanibel Island, where he worked in maintenance and put his many talents to use for the Jensen family he loved, in a place he loved.  In September of 2022, Hurricane Ian devastated their home, forcing Don and Bonnie to move to The Villages. Don and Bonnie continued living in Lady Lake until Don became ill last fall. Don spent his last months at home, surrounded by his three beloved sons and his loving wife, Bonnie, forever at his side.  For nearly 58 years, Don and Bonnie simply “did life together.” From their first meetings as teenagers and building their first home on the family farm, to raising three boys, moving to Florida, running businesses, boating, dancing, and weathering some of life’s hardest seasons, they were a team through it all. They genuinely enjoyed being together and were rarely far from one another. Don and Bonnie were known for being amazing dancers, often getting everyone else out on the dance floor with them.  Through Don’s final months, Bonnie remained where she had been for nearly six decades.. right by his side.  Don loved being a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Two of his favorite activities were hunting with family and boating anywhere he could be on the water. He often told Bonnie he was a pirate in another life.  More than anything, he loved being surrounded by his family and friends.

When asked to describe their Pa, his grandchildren remembered him best as:

The man who always made everyone around him happier.
The absolute life of the party.
Reliable. He was a rock-solid man in both mind and body, and we all depended on him.
If there was no fun to be had, he’d find some.
He was fun-loving, a jokester, a storyteller, my best friend, and he never met a stranger.
The heart and soul of the family, he never failed to put a smile on your face.

Wherever Don went, he lifted the spirits of those around him. He loved to laugh and could find humor in almost every situation. His friendships were genuine, spanning people from all walks of life and backgrounds.  He will be truly missed.  Don is survived by his beloved wife of almost 58 years, Bonnie (Shear); son, Donald (LeeAnne)  Derby Jr. of Paintsville, KY; son, Thomas (Barbara) Derby of Memphis, NY; son, Richard (Brittany) Derby  of Fort Myers, FL; daughter-in-law, Amy (Franco) Saayman  of Lacanto, FL; granddaughters, Ireland Marie (Nicholas) Guiles of Lexington, KY, Allie (Isaac) Havens of Mexico, NY, Molly (Parker) Bowden of Cato, NY, and Clara Jean (James) Derby of Quantico, VA; grandsons, Emerson Derby of Memphis, NY, and Drake Derby of Lacanto, FL; great-granddaughter, Layne House; and great-grandsons, Raymond Bowden and Beaumont Lyman Havens. Don was predeceased by his parents Jean and Richard Derby, formerly of Sterling, NY, and his brother,

Ronald Derby, formerly of Syracuse, NY. Surviving are his sister, Susan (Dean) Percival of Glasgow, KY;
brothers, Wayne (Mary) Derby of Locust Grove, GA, Randy Derby of Fort Myers, FL, and William (Lori)
Derby of Sterling, NY. Don is also survived by his sister-in-law, Linda (Will) Fowler of Hannibal, NY, and
numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A Celebration of Life in honor of Don will be held on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 4:00 PM at the

Liverpool Elks Lodge, 730 Cold Springs Road, Baldwinsville, NY.

This will be a very casual gathering, and family and friends are invited to come together, share stories, and celebrate the life of a man who meant so much to so many.

The local arrangements are in the care of the Sugar & Scanlon Funeral Home, 147 W. 4^th St., Oswego, NY.