Memorials
We remember these members who had contributed so much to our organization
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Douglas Derck (33 year member)
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Douglas Derck passed away unexpectedly on October 11, 2021, at the age of 66.
Doug was born in Fort Wayne on October 13, 1954, to Richard and Suzanne (Bobay) Derck, better known as Dick and Tootie. As a child, Doug spent much of his time having a wonderful time (and mostly finding trouble) with his many siblings and cousins, aka the Auburn Road Runners.
On one fateful night in August 1981, Doug met his soon-to-be wife and best friend, Joyce Dillon, at a local bowling alley. In her version of the story, she asked him how he was bowling, and he said, "pretty well". However, he told people for years to come that he had a perfect 300 going until he saw her. Doug and Joyce married in 1983 and relished in raising their sons Logan and Brandon.
In addition to bowling, Doug enjoyed boating, fishing, and spending time at the lake; watching Notre Dame football and Indiana University basketball; playing Euchre; and tinkering around the house on things that may not even be broken yet. His smile was contagious, and he excelled in making people laugh and enjoy life. More recently, he especially loved spending time playing with his two grandchildren, Kingsley and Miles.
Doug spent most of his career as a journeyman pipefitter and was a member of the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union 166 for 34 years before retiring in 2015.
Doug is survived by his wife, Joyce; sons Logan and Brandon; daughters-in-law Christine and Cassie; grandchildren Kingsley and Miles; siblings Mike, Mark, Lisa and Jon; sisters-in-law Linda, Nancy, and Carol; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
A celebration of life will be scheduled in the coming months for family and friends to gather in the way Doug would have preferred. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider donating to one of the causes he cared about most: Alzheimer's Association, American Cancer Society, or the Advocate NICU Giving Tree.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://www.mccombandsons.com for the DERCK family.
Doug was born in Fort Wayne on October 13, 1954, to Richard and Suzanne (Bobay) Derck, better known as Dick and Tootie. As a child, Doug spent much of his time having a wonderful time (and mostly finding trouble) with his many siblings and cousins, aka the Auburn Road Runners.
On one fateful night in August 1981, Doug met his soon-to-be wife and best friend, Joyce Dillon, at a local bowling alley. In her version of the story, she asked him how he was bowling, and he said, "pretty well". However, he told people for years to come that he had a perfect 300 going until he saw her. Doug and Joyce married in 1983 and relished in raising their sons Logan and Brandon.
In addition to bowling, Doug enjoyed boating, fishing, and spending time at the lake; watching Notre Dame football and Indiana University basketball; playing Euchre; and tinkering around the house on things that may not even be broken yet. His smile was contagious, and he excelled in making people laugh and enjoy life. More recently, he especially loved spending time playing with his two grandchildren, Kingsley and Miles.
Doug spent most of his career as a journeyman pipefitter and was a member of the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union 166 for 34 years before retiring in 2015.
Doug is survived by his wife, Joyce; sons Logan and Brandon; daughters-in-law Christine and Cassie; grandchildren Kingsley and Miles; siblings Mike, Mark, Lisa and Jon; sisters-in-law Linda, Nancy, and Carol; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
A celebration of life will be scheduled in the coming months for family and friends to gather in the way Doug would have preferred. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider donating to one of the causes he cared about most: Alzheimer's Association, American Cancer Society, or the Advocate NICU Giving Tree.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://www.mccombandsons.com for the DERCK family.
Greg Racioppi (15 year member)
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GREGORY "CHOPPY" MARTIN RACIOPPI, 50, of Fort Wayne, passed away Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, in Harlan, Ind. Born in Amityville, N.Y., he was a son of Martin Racioppi of North Carolina and Gabbrielle St. John of Clackamas, Ore. Greg worked over 32 years as a Union Pipe Fitter for Local 166 Plumbers and Steamfitters. He loved riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle and was an active supporter of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Greg is survived by his wife, Cassy Racioppi of Fort Wayne; sons, Nicholas (Sara) Racioppi and Brandon Racioppi, both of Fort Wayne; two grandchildren; and siblings, Matt (Tania) Racioppi of Oregon, Renee (Sage) Stewart of Utah, and Noel St. John of Clackamas, Ore. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, William and Muriel Boyce. Calling is from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, at Fairhaven Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 6557 N. Clinton St. Memorials may be made to the family. To sign the online guestbook visit www.fairhavenfortwayne.com
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