Derek Pearce

Derek Anthony Pearce (1946-2018) was born in Barry to Frederick and Betty, joining elder sister Patricia. Brother Stephen was born in 1953. In 1961 Derek went to Barry Tech College where he met Gaynor, who would later become his wife, a relationship that lasted 52 years. In 1967 he joined the police force and was promoted to Inspector in 1982. Derek and Gaynor were married in 1968 and bought a home in Bassaleg in 1972. Their son, Gerald, was born in 1973. Derek retired on health grounds in 1995 at the age of 49. He was a keen fisherman and ran his club for 25 years. His team won the police nationals in 2009. Gaynor passed away in 2011. Derek rebuilt his life and occupied his time fishing and playing bridge. Derek battled cancer from 2014, but managed to remain at home until the very end.