Gail Knight Derick
Gail Knight Derick, 89, of Holmes Beach, died March 23 after a brief illness. She was surrounded by her loving family.
She was born May 25, 1934, in Brockton, and attended Middlebury College, where she met her husband, Phil.
Her passion for life was contagious and she shared her love through everything she did: grade school and nursery schoolteacher, health care worker, hospice volunteer.
She cherished being a mother and devoted wife.
She shared a love of sports with her husband, particularly the Boston Red Sox, when Phil took on the role as a team ambassador in 2001. She accompanied him to many games and loved assisting in the role of fan services. Together they filled countless requests for Fenway Fan packs from around the world and helped take the World Series trophy on tour in 2004.
In recent years, she found another passion in the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team, watching games from her couch while holding hands with Phil.
Her presence will be deeply missed by her family and friends. Her brilliant love and infectious laughter will live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to have known her. May she rest in peace, knowing she made the world such a brighter place.
A celebration of life was held April 6 at Christ Episcopal Church in Bradenton. Memorial donations may be made to the Lord’s Pantry in care of Christ Episcopal Church, 4030 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton FL 34205.
Mrs. Derick is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Philip; her children Jim and wife Jody, Jennifer and husband Matthew and Alison and partner Emily; grandchildren Michael, Christopher, Ryan, Meghan Gail, Caroline and Theo; and great-granddaughter Alessia. Extended family includes cousins Fritz Knight, Carl Knight and Marny Walsh.
John Ferguson Norman, DDS
John Ferguson Norman, DDS, 78, of Ocala, died March 23.
He was born Jan. 26, 1946, in Texas, but lived most of his life in Florida in Ocala, Palma Sola and on Anna Maria Island.
After graduation from Ocala High School in 1964, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. As a helicopter aviator, he flew 888 combat missions during the Vietnam War, the majority of those being medevac sorties.
After military service, he returned to Florida and enrolled at Florida State University, where he graduated with a bachelor of science degree. He attended Emory University Medical School in Atlanta, where he received his degree as doctor of dental surgery.
Dr. Norman’s love of the water and sailing brought him to Anna Maria Island, where he practiced dentistry for more than 40 years.
Generous to a fault, many folks on the island had their dental procedures performed free of charge, with no pretense or expectation on Dr. Norman’s part.
He would often tell patients, “Just bring me some stone crabs” or “something from your garden.”
A Renaissance man, he was an avid reader, sailor, woodworker, dog lover and fast friend to those lives fortunate to have crossed paths with his.
He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Fittingly, his resting place will be at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell. A formal service with military honors will precede his interment.
Dr. Norman is survived by his older sister, Sandra of Hernando, and younger sister, Gail of Ocala; and his dog, Spanky.