Michael Patrick Francis Dervin

November 1, 1934 - May 23, 2020

On Saturday, May 23, 2020, Michael Patrick Francis Dervin departed this life following a brief illness leaving behind his greatest love, his wife of forty-five years Irene Beth Byer Dervin, his son Todd Raphael Gallant, his four grandchildren, his sister Johann Dervin Ivey, his eleven nieces and nephews, his twenty-five great nieces and nephews, and his twenty-six great-great nieces and nephews.

Michael is the son of James Joseph Dervin and Mary Margarette Hughes Dervin and was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended St. Andrew’s Grade School in Drexel Hill and graduated from West Catholic Preparatory High School in Philadelphia.  He attended LaSalle University and served in the US Marines Corps while being stationed with his older brother Jim at Cherry Point, North Carolina.

After Michael retired as a District Manager with the Electrolux Corporation, he became an official “snow bird” living half the year in Philadelphia and making his home the other half of the year in Cape Coral.  He was an avid tennis player and fisherman, but his greatest joy was the other love of his life, Chipper, his boat.  As a young child Michael gained a lifelong love of the water while learning to sail at the Jersey Shore.

Michael was the authentic modern Renaissance Man.  Not only did he possess a beautiful tenor voice and loved the theater, but he could “cut the rug”.  Michael loved art, architecture, and working on old homes.  He also relished entertaining the younger generations as an accomplished story teller and as the family historian. Michael was not what you would call a fan of social media; instead he gobbled up books. He was a veracious reader and enjoyed discussing and debating the concepts and ideas of his latest find.  Yes, Michael loved the arts, but he was also a man of action:  If something needed to be done, he made it happen.  It has also been said that in his younger years he was famous for quoting poetry or a limerick or two while throwing a well-placed punch.  Family legend has tagged young Michael as quite a boxer. 

But Michael’s greatest passion was his volunteer work with the Elwyn Institute in Delaware County.  He dedicated his time and energy to special needs adults through teaching and developing workshops to encourage independent living.  He gained an understanding that there are no absolutes and care can be transformed to benefit the individual.  He also worked with autistic children before many were even aware of the condition.  Michael was honored with several awards for his work, but he never mentioned these awards since he believed that he could never give to his students what they had given to him.

If there is a word to describe Michael Dervin, it is OPTIMISM; he was a “people person” who loved his extended family and took responsibility for each one of them.  In his final days, it was his nieces, nephews, and the great nieces and nephews, and the great greats, and the close family friends’ adult children who called and thanked him for being a second father to them and for his ability to give unconditional love. These actions speak volumes of just who Michael Dervin was. Only this strong, burly man could get away with saying with the utmost sincerity upon making an exit:  Have a Happy!

At the end one of the youngest great, great nieces stated:  Don’t cry, Uncle-Uncle Mike is in Heaven…And so he is… with his parents, his sisters Mary Lucinda Dervin McCullough and Ellen Patricia Dervin, and his brothers James Joseph and Francis Xavier Dervin.  Michael Patrick Francis Dervin, you have served and loved well…

Internment will take place at Washington Crossing National Cemetery, Buck County, Pennsylvania in late September. A notice will be sent.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the VA.  During Michael’s illness the VA volunteer staff was so generous and helpful, and his wife and family will always be grateful for their kindness during this difficult time.  If you choose to donate, make your check payable to the VA and in memo write:  In Memory of Michael Dervin. Mail your donation to: Lee County VA Health Care Center, Attention: Voluntary Service, 2489 Diplomat Parkway E., Cape Coral, FL  33909.

Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.

Guestbook

  1. Maureen McCullough Jun 2, 2020 at 1:44 pm

    I think the words above say everything…

  2. Maureen McCullough Jun 2, 2020 at 1:45 pm

    Young Mike

  3. Maureen McCullough Jun 2, 2020 at 1:46 pm

    Michael with family

  4. Maureen McCullough Jun 2, 2020 at 1:47 pm

    Michael as a Marine

  5. Maureen McCullough Jun 2, 2020 at 1:48 pm

    Michael and Irene’s wedding day

  6. Maureen McCullough Jun 2, 2020 at 1:50 pm

    Michael and Irene together

  7. Maureen McCullough Jun 2, 2020 at 1:51 pm

    Michael and Irene

  8. Maureen McCullough Jun 2, 2020 at 1:54 pm

    Sister Johanna and nieces and great nieces with cardboard Uncle Mike…

  9. Maureen McCullough Jun 2, 2020 at 1:55 pm

    The last dance…

  10. Michael McCullough Jun 2, 2020 at 2:28 pm

    Truly a good man who is missed by all that knew him. Greatest story teller I have ever met. RIP uncle Mike.

  11. Sara Lopez Jun 2, 2020 at 4:08 pm

    You are already being missed Uncle Mike. We know you are keeping an eye on all of us along with Nana. We see you both smiling.

  12. Gloria Mccullough Jun 2, 2020 at 9:00 pm

    It was a pleasure to meet you and see you in every family event. Always smiling and showing your love for your family You will be truly missed.
    Much love to Irene and extended family.
    Jim and Gloria Mccullough

  13. jack byer Jun 3, 2020 at 2:12 pm

    God Bless Michael. He will continue to live in the heart land mind of all of us who love him.

  14. MIMI GELLER Jun 3, 2020 at 2:28 pm

    MICHAEL WAS A VERY SPECIAL FELLOW & VERY MUCH LOVED BY ALL. I HAVE WONDERFUL MEMORIES OF TRIPS TAKEN WITH IRENE & MIKE THAT I WILL ALWAYS CHERISH.
    REST IN PEACE MICHAEL. YOU WILL BE MISSED ALWAYS.

  15. Miroslav & Peg Straka Jun 3, 2020 at 3:29 pm

    Michael was a treasure of a human being and a gift to all of us. Our love and sincere condolences to Irene and family.

  16. Mary Lou McCullough Jun 3, 2020 at 4:14 pm

    Uncle Mike you will be truly missed but I also know that you are with my mother another angel.

  17. Ron Pappas Jun 3, 2020 at 4:56 pm

    Mike was a great guy and i enjoyed playing tennis with him. He was the spin master. I am sorry to see you go.

  18. Diane Eyer Jun 3, 2020 at 6:01 pm

    So happy to have known this very special and generous-hearted man. Much love to Irene whom he treasured. What a wonderful legacy you have left dear Michael.

  19. Chris Campitelli Jun 4, 2020 at 7:05 am

    I will always remember fishing adventures aboard the Chipper with Mike and Irene. Mike’s stories were legendary. We shared many laughs and happy times in “The Cape”. Rest In Peace Mike🙏🏻

  20. Ron Stevens Jun 4, 2020 at 2:45 pm

    Loved playing tennis with him ……… he was a joy to be around.

  21. Jerry and Lee Berkowitz Jun 5, 2020 at 10:15 am

    Michael was a wonderful friend. He had the best stories and jokes. And, he listened to my jokes from the internet politely, then replied, “Do you know how old that joke is?”
    Michael loved Irene with all his soul, which didn’t mean they didn’t bicker. It gave me hope for my own marriage. I visited and saw him caring for Irene after her surgery. He was so gentle and kind, always smiling. Rest well, Michael. You left your mark and will be remembered fondly.

  22. Danielle Kraft Jun 6, 2020 at 8:20 am

    I am so sorry for your loss of Mike….I always enjoyed spending time together with him at Dad and Nancy’s in Florida….You will be in my thoughts…

  23. Patty Nieman Jun 6, 2020 at 1:58 pm

    So sorry that the world has lost this wonderful person. Michael you are in our prayers. Irene we pray for your peace at this most sorrowful time. I will cherish the memories of us playing tennis together. Michael always had a funny story or joke to tell that surely livened up the game. Rest in Peace.

  24. Irene Dervin Jun 6, 2020 at 5:17 pm

    Dearest Family and friends….
    All of the love and acknowledgements.for Michael has touched my heart very
    deeply.
    (With many tears). Michael was a people person man, he would do the world for who
    ever needed him….. My heart aches, but the love and strength I’m feeling from all . has
    let me continue on, for Michael would want me to be strong and continue enjoying life.
    Sending love back to all…God bless!………Irene….Have a Happy

  25. John Hughes jr Jun 6, 2020 at 7:13 pm

    Sorry we didn’t have that talk I had a lot of questions only you had the answers my fault

  26. Helen P Rodgers Jun 7, 2020 at 3:35 pm

    Irene & Family,
    What a beautiful tribute to Michael, We just loved reading it and learned so much that was
    never shared by such a humble man. We know many wonderful gestures he made and
    carried through. The pictures are just great of him and make you know, he was a happy,
    fulfilled man. It truly was a gift to have known him and you. We will miss his value on life.

    Love to you
    Patty & Michael

  27. Paula Hradkowsky Jun 7, 2020 at 8:13 pm

    Whenever I called Irene Michael liked to tease me, and we usually did a current events jig. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a big heart.

  28. Frank & Joan Posselt Jun 7, 2020 at 10:24 pm

    Dear Irene & Family:
    Our deepest sympathy, our dear friend has passed. He made us laugh with all his stories, and how he helped so many people in difficult times and of course Mike’s many, many jokes; don’t know how he remembered all the punch lines (but he did). We’ll always remember all the outings, dinners, the theaters and even just a visit playing pinochle, we had fun times with Mike and Irene. Our dear friend will always be in our hearts, we will miss him. So fast, to fast thank goodness we were able to talk to him in his final hours. Such beautiful pictures warm memories – Rest in peace!
    Love,
    Frank & Joan Possselt

  29. Erica Armstrong Jun 10, 2020 at 6:07 pm

    Nikolas and I will forever miss him. My condolences to Mrs. Dervin and the family. Love Erica and Nik

  30. Vickie and Richard Jun 13, 2020 at 6:02 pm

    We will miss Mike, he was a very special person. We will remember all the good times we spent over the years at our yearly holiday dinners and the summer concerts on Sunday evenings. My heart breaks for Irene and her loss. I hope she knows that she gave him the best care possible. RIP Mike,

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