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Derek Garcia McCullough

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Derek McCullough Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jan. 5, 2005.

McCULLOUGH
DEREK GARCIA
1971 to 2005. Son of Paulina Garcia McCullough of Verona & the late William H. McCullough, died in a scuba diving accident off the coast of Honduras. Survivors include three sisters Andrea McCullough of Pittsburgh, Jane Wilson of Longmont, CO & Sue Bishop of Dallas, TX, one brother Michael McCullough of Coshocton, OH. Derek was a comet that lit up the sky & those he touched. Following cremation, a graveside service will be held at Greenlawn Cemetery, Wingate, IN on Sunday, January 16, 2005 at 2 pm. A Memorial Service will be held in Pittsburgh at a later date to be announced. Those who wish to make memorial contributions may make them to Oxfam America, for the Asian Earthquake Fund, c/o Paulina McCullough, 1949 Outlook Dr., Verona, PA 15147. Arrangements by SHOEMAKER FUNERAL HOME, Waynetown, IN.
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Recent Activity

February 1, 2005

Beth Schneider posted to the memorial.

January 13, 2005

Jason Holzman posted to the memorial.

January 11, 2005

Jason Brown posted to the memorial.

9 Entries

Beth Schneider

February 1, 2005

Dear Dr. McCullough,

I just wanted to express my deepest and sincerest sympathy on the passing of your brother. I know I speak for all of us here at the answering service. Know that you and your family are in our prayers.

Jason Holzman

January 13, 2005

Dear Paulina and family,

I'm having a hard time figuring out how to start this message, so I'll just say this: Despite the fact that I hadn't spoken to Derek in quite a few years, I will miss him terribly.

When Ram told me the news, it instantly brought to mind a flood of memories.

Sitting in Derek's kitchen in the morning with Ram, waiting for Derek to finish one of his paper routes so we could walk to school together. And then watching Derek burst in, late, and convince his dad to drive us.

Playing football on the street in front of Derek's house until it got too dark out to see.

And one very specific memory: Sitting in front of Derek's house the night before I moved to New York, talking about how different things were going to be once I left.

And things were different. Derek came to Long Island that summer, and I came back to visit Pittsburgh a few times after I left, but we slowly lost touch. Which of course I now regret enormously.

He was a special person. Whenever I picture him in my head, I imagine him smiling or laughing. That was just the kind of person he was.

As for me, I work at an advertising agency in New York, I recently directed a documentary and a short film, and I'm married with 2 kids.

All things I would've loved to share with Derek.

Unfortunately, the memorial service is on the one day I can't possibly come - my son's 5th birthday party.

But I hope you know that my thoughts are with you.

Derek is irreplaceable. I will always miss him.

-Jason Holzman

Jason Brown

January 11, 2005

Dear Family,

I am a friend of Derek's from long ago - we went to Reizenstein together and I also hung out with him sometimes in high school even though I didn't go to Allderdice. Steve Foecking told me yesterday, and I can't say how sad I am.

In sixth grade Derek was relatively quiet in school. I think he was still somewhat unsure of himself and figuring out how to be around people. But by eighth grade he was constantly making comments in class that would crack us up, often to the annoyance of the teachers. He got sent out of the classroom once in awhile and the rest of us were always happy he'd cracked his joke. He was one of the first people I knew that challenged the system, a trait which I now believe is an important thing for young people to see. Derek did so at a young age and I was always impressed by that.

The relatively small amount of time I spent with Derek through high school and college merely confirmed for me that he was growing into a really unique and special guy. He had a brilliant sense of humor and I always looked forward to seeing him when I hung out with the gang.

I'll remember Derek fondly. I'm truly sorry.

You are in my thoughts.

Sincerely,

Jason Brown

Mary Coyne

January 10, 2005

Dear Paulina and Family, when Andrea called me about Derek's death a few weeks ago and asked that I get in touch with my son, Dan Coyne who lives in Australia, my heart broke for all of you,for Dan, and for the many friends Derek left behind. I reminded Dan of a visit by Derek to our home on Ben Hur St. several years ago. He was dressed in the full regalia of a motorcyclist, helmet closed over his face so I did not recogize him, and he announced he was on his way across country on the motorcycle parked at our curb. He loved the expression on our faces when we realized it was Derek. He packed more into his short life than I have in a lifetime. He will always be remembered lovingly by members of the Coyne family.

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Ellen Holzman

January 8, 2005

I will always remember the wonderful friends Jason had in Pittsburgh as part of our very special years there. Although we left in 1987, I recall Derek very well, and felt he'd be an interesting adult to know. I'm sorry I never had that chance, and our whole family sends our condolences to you, Paulina, and the rest of your family.

Chantal Pincheira - Sukel

January 7, 2005

Tia Paulina, Andrea, and Family: I would like to start by saying how deeply sorry I am for this great and tragic loss of such a young, vibrant, spontaneous, and energetic life force that was Derek as we knew and loved him.

I have always thought of Derek as a big brother in our circle of Chilean friends and and am deeply saddened to know that I will never speak to him again. My mind is full of memories of growing up with Derek and Andrea, going on adventures with them and my little brother Rodrigo in the woods surrounding their house in the North Hills when we were young. I remember very vividly, all the fun we had hiding in their closet reading scary stories, and hearing Uncle Bill talking, being the life of the party, and realizing as I grew up, that the apple didn't fall far from the tree.

We were always close, Derek and I. When I got to High School at Allderdice, he was in his last year, on his way out, and he still looked out for me as if I were his own sister. We spent a lot of time together in those days, hanging out and having fun, and Derek was always there watching over me, he was a great person and friend. Then we went off the college. I still remember Derek's story on how he picked Grenoit (sorry not sure of spelling) Iowa, he was sitting on his bed with a bunch of brochures from different universities, he closed his eyes and picked one and that is where he applied and went to school...and you know he actually loved it!

That was how Derek lived, and he attracted loving and caring people to him. It was not until years later that we actually talked again. I remember seeing him at Tia Paulina's house in Pgh. right before he left to teach English as a second language and being really inspired by choice to do so. I also remember seeing him and talking to him about his adventures in Alaska. I remember seeing him in SanFrancisco after I had just moved there and hanging out with him Andrea, and the gang, and enjoying life with them all. I remeber him being there for me and being a true friend.

Derek did more living in his short time than most of us have done, and even though he had to go so soon I know that his presence here touched and inspired those who knew him. He had a heart of gold and was the best friend anyone could ask for. I will never forget him.

I wish he could have met my daughter Julianna Alessandra, who is now 16 months old. He wrote me an email not too long after she was born about how happy he was to hear that we had a little girl. It was a letter I'll never forget, one written by a true friend, I wish I would not have erased it, but like Derek, his life and words will always be in my thoughts and prayers as time goes on. I had hoped to speak to him one of these days about visiting him in Hawaii, but alas the moment slipped away and it is too late.

This is truly a terrible tragedy, and the only thing I can take away from it is that I realize more and more each day how precious life is and how quickly it can be taken away. We must live life to the fullest, letting everyone who we love know how much they mean to us, staying in touch with our loved ones and friends, and living life without fear.

I love you Derek, and I'll never forget you. Until we meet again....

Your little sister and friend,

Chantal Gabrielle Pincheira Sukel

Rosemary Cather Kelly

January 7, 2005

Dear Paulina,

My heart breaks for you and your family. May the love of friends and family comfort and sustain you, and the memories of your bright boy always keep him close.

Warmest regard, Rosemary

David Lucarelli

January 7, 2005

To Derek's family,

I am filled with deep regret concerning your loss. My lifelong friend

Jason Holtzman called me the day before yesterday to tell me the news.

Ram Gordon had told him. Although I did not keep in as close touch with

Derek as I would have liked, I will always treasure the many fond memories

I have of him, growing up together during those pivotal formative years

of our lives at Reizenstein and Allderdice. Even now, I can't help but

smile when

I recall how when I was making one of my Super-8 films and Derek had

volunteered his time as an "actor," I called his house when he was late

for his "call," and a heavily accented high pitched voice answered the

phone, and said, "Derek? Derek is not here. He left to go film a movie.

I'm sure that

he'll be there soon..." and I listened to this voice that sounded

nothing like his mother, his sister, or any woman for that matter and

said, "Derek, how stupid do

you think I am? Get down here NOW!" and I could hear him laughing as he

hung up the phone and hightailed it up to Squirrel Hill to be part of my

film.

Well, I work as a Sound Engineer for 20th Century Fox now, thanks in

part to the help of friends like Derek who helped me realize my dreams

of getting there.

He was a fun loving, kind and generous human being, who will be deeply

missed by all of us.

Sincerely,

David Blake Lucarelli