Derek Joseph Tartaglia

Wow, I just heard of the news of Derek. I grew up around the block and went to Newbury with Derek.. Friends for many years and then lost touch as we got older. Always sad to lose such a great person so young. My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family..

Derek and i met eachother around 1995. We very good friends for a long time, but then when he moved i lost touch with him and i have been looking for him since. Derek was the kind of person who touched your heart no matter how you knew him. he could smile at you when your upset and make everything okay.. or he could just look at you from across the room and you knew you were safe. he was one of the most loyal people i know and i am blessed to have met him. ill never forget the trip to meet...

Derek was my big brother but more then that he was my best friend and idle. he was always there for me anytime day or night he protected me my whole life despite giving me many stitches along the way. He was magnetic people wanted to be near and around him. That is something that cant be learned your just born with it. him and and I were extremely competitive he hated losing which is why he was good at everything he ever tried. i couldn't beat him at much. on our last job i told him i cant do...

Derek,
You know in the last five years we didn't miss a single UFC together. It was the one thing we could talk about all day and every day. And I met my future wife watching it with you. Which was the greatest gift you ever gave me. Every time I see a great new matchup I grab my phone ready to tell you about it like I always do but I can't anymore. At least we got to see it live and meet some of our favorite fighters. We had so many good times and laughs together. I loved...

a great man a great life so young but so full i love you buddy and you will always be with me and in my prayers so many good times to many to talk about but boy where they fun i just cant express how good of a man derek was i really do miss you and i wish the best for your family i will never forget you your #1 fan Adam christopher Eull, rest in peace derek MUCH LOVE

my name is kevin edblom and i am lucky and proud to have known derek for two years although a short period of time he was a great friend we shared many good times together wich i will never forget and cherish for the the rest of my life what can i say he was one hell of a cool dude his friends and family were very important to him he had quite the ora and every day he would wear a smile good or bad so unselfish we could all learn a little something from him derek i love you man god bless you...

Dear Aunt Debbie, and Uncle Joe,
We just heard about Derek, and send our deepest condolences and heart felt sympathy. I wish there were something we could say or do. May God supply all strength and comfort, heal the pain of loss, and allow you to hold on to remembering the joy of the fullness of his life. Much love,
Patrick, Anita, Matt, Daniel, Anna, Sarah and Sharon Higashi,

Hi this is Derek's sister Tara. we heard about this page a few days ago and we were very touched to see all the wonderful things that have been written about him. thanks to everyone for their kind words and also to those of you that were able to attend his wakes. i was able to learn a lot of new stories about derek and speak to many of his other family and friends. (and for anyone that was curious, yes, we made sure that Derek was wearing his visor for his trip to heaven..)I was not able to...

It is always difficult to try and puts words that equal and due justice to memories and experiences with friends and family. It is like trying to describe a sunset to someone who wasn’t there to see it with you. Derek was like a sunset. Sunsets, when not watched closely, appear to be the same everyday. Bright oranges, reds, purples, and blues fill the sky for just a moment before fading away. Derek, like a sunset, was a very "normal" guy on the outside. On the surface, and when not...