Derek Teel

Derek Gerard Teel was born September 18, 1962, in New Haven CT to the late Arthur Earl Teel and the late Minister Doris Jean Hardy-Teel. Derek unexpectedly entered eternal rest on Wednesday September 3, 2025, at the age of 62. Derek graduated from Richard C. Lee High School Class of 1982. He went on to work at North Haven Tile and Congress Market in New Haven among other jobs. Derek was Hill-Born and Raised…and Proud of it!! Derek was an avid – IN YOUR FACE – Dallas Cowboy Fan! He loved his team…win or lose. He enjoyed watching and playing football with his brothers growing up. Playing basketball with his brothers and friends in Davenport Park was a regular pastime growing up. It was common to see Derek manning the grill at family cookouts. He was such a significant presence in our everyday lives. Derek was known to help others by doing all kinds of handy man jobs. He's been tagged the Neighborhood Superman: if it's broke, he would fix it. If something needed doing, he did it, from the smallest to the biggest, no task was too small or too big. He was the one everybody depended on. His remarkable spirit touched the hearts of everyone he met, leaving an indelible impression on the lives of those he touched. His compassion to help others never went unnoticed, his loving heart allowed him to be everyone's favorite, his playful spirit made anyone in his presence laugh – even when he was trying to be serious. Friends and family always knew they could count on him to not only come through, but to take his time and perfect his craft! Although this loss is difficult, we find solace in the memories of his extraordinary life that we have been blessed to be a part of. He was not just a son, a father, a grandfather, an uncle and a brother but he was also a friend. He approached every endeavor with dedication, pride and humility. His legacy will live on thru the love and loyalty he showed to those around him, and he will be forever remembered for his kindness and devotion. He leaves to cherish his memory son Maurice Weston, granddaughter Zianah Powell; 3 sisters Carol and Vicky Teel; Krista Teel Yates Levant (Bernard); 5 brothers Gregory, Michael, Tracy, Anthony, & Brian Teel, 1 Aunt- Shirley Rae Smith 17 nieces & nephews, 26 great-nieces & nephews, 1 great-great niece, 1 great-great nephew, his mother figure Shirley Stevens aka Nana and his special friend Diane James. He was predeceased by his father, Arthur Earl Teel, his mother Minister Doris Jean Hardy Teel and brother Kevin D. Teel. Rest easy, Derek. You will forever be a part of our story. Your presence will forever be the cornerstone of our community, and you will always and forever live in our hearts.