David C. Deratany

BREWSTER — David Deratany died on June 14, 2009 in Brewster, at the home he shared with his wife, Patrice Davis Deratany. As he did everything in life, David ran against the tide of cancer with a passion.

David was born on Valentine's Day 1943 in Boston and lived in West Roxbury until his graduation from Roslindale High School. He was the son of the late Habib and Thomasina (Monico) Deratany. His undergraduate studies were completed at Brown University in Providence, R.I. He received his MBA at Babson College, Wellesley, and earned his juris doctorate at Suffolk Law School in Boston. He served his country as a captain in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, based at Otis Air Force Base.

David practiced law for 31 years in a private, one-person law firm in West Harwich, specializing in real estate law. He was known to often comment that he loved what he did for a living and would never retire because the practice of law allowed him to support his habit of being a musician. He was very proud of his association with the prestigious Boston law firm of Cooley, Manion, Jones.

David was a consummate musician, playing pedal steel guitar and lead guitar in various bands and venues on Cape Cod over the past several decades. He began playing in high school, building a custom guitar, "The Deratany" with his wood-carver father; 50 years later this was still his favorite of all his guitars.

All who know "Derat" well, know that he was never satisfied with what he played and always strove to play what he referred to as —flashy and tasteless music." One could not know Dave without being aware of his great reverence for jazz musician, Django Reinhardt, and his love for lifelong friend, Geoffrey Morris, whom he referred to as a guitar genius.

David enjoyed many online blogs concerning his many interests, including organic gardening, natural healthcare, pedal-steel guitar playing, and a myriad of music chatrooms. From these associations, he had close friendships all over the country with folks whom he had never actually met. To know Dave was to be positively influenced in some way by him. He will be forever remembered and missed.

David leaves his wife, Patrice; cousin, Susan Iannaco of Medford; in-laws, Jeanie Davis of Benton, Maine, Alvin and Melinda Davis of Fayetteville, N.C., Chris and Becky Davis of Chatham, Dawna-Jean and Tom Turchon, Benton, Maine; and innumerable friends whom he loved dearly and unconditionally.

His former wife, Sandra Deratany of East Osterville, also survives him.

Relatives and friends may form a cortege at 2.p.m. Thursday, June 25, at the Morris & O'Connor Funeral Home, 58 Long Pond Drive, South Yarmouth for a 3 p.m. graveside service at the Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. Visitation will be held on June 25, at 6 p.m., concluding with a 7 p.m. service at the funeral home.

Memorial donations are suggested to Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, Utah 84741-5000, www.bestfriends.org.

A guest book is available online at www.morrisoconnor.com.