Rev. Joseph F. Derby, O.S.A. (1909-1970)
Rev. Joseph F. Derby, O.S.A., entered eternal life on May 29, 1970.
Joseph Francis Derby was born on October 29, 1909, in Lawrence, Massachusetts, to John and Balbina (Bastian) Derby. He was baptized on November 3, 1909, at Assumption Catholic Church, Lawrence. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation on May 3, 1924, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Lawrence.
After completing two years of studies at Lawrence High School, Joseph entered Augustinian Academy, Staten Island, New York, which granted him a high school diploma in 1928. He was received into the Augustinian Novitiate on September 9, 1928. He professed vows in the Order of St. Augustine on September 10, 1929.
Joseph earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Villanova College, Villanova, Pennsylvania, in 1933. He then pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. Joseph was ordained a priest on June 9, 1936. He earned a B.S. in Library Science from Villanova College in 1944, an M.S. in Library Science in 1954 from Rosary College in River Forest, Illinois, and an M. Ed. in 1959 from Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois.
Father Derby was assigned in 1937 to Cascia Hall School, Tulsa, Oklahoma, as a teacher and librarian. He was transferred to St. Thomas High School, Rockford, Illinois, in 1942. He was assigned to St. Rita High School, Chicago, in 1944 as a librarian.
He served as teacher and librarian at St. Rita until the time of his death. He also taught Library Science during Summer sessions at Villanova College.
He is buried in the Augustinian plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.
Memorial gifts may be made to: The Midwest Augustinians, 10161 S Longwood Dr, Chicago, IL 60643-2032 or via our Online Giving Page.
