Derek J. Mandeville, 33, of Middletown died suddenly October 30, 2022 at his home.  Derek was born in Middletown, son of Michael and Nella (Sbona) Mandeville.

Derek loved to write and he loved sports. His teams were the NY Yankees and Green Bay Packers.  He could literally tell you anything you ever wanted to know about any of the players, their stats and assorted fun facts about the teams. If he wasn't playing or watching sports, he was reading about them. He played baseball for Team Connecticut and had a promising future and planned to play baseball in college and beyond. He was an exceptional player -everyone thought so. Derek also was great at creating delicious meals. You would always find him in the kitchen helping his mom to cook and spoiling his dad with breakfast in bed.

In his teens Derek started developing signs of anxiety and depression. He started experimenting with drugs and fell into addiction. His path was not what he had planned for despite his struggles with addiction he worked hard to stay clean. He created a safe space on social media to help others in the same situation have a forum, a safe space to discuss their feelings, reach out for help, to find a meeting or to be with others who understood.  #Freeme. Free me from addiction. The site helped not only people in our immediate area but across the globe with members from multiple foreign countries. He always shared his story with hopes of saving a life. Despite his best efforts, Derek relapsed. He tried many times and never gave up the hope that eventually he would be able to say he was clean and sober. It was not meant to be. Derek succumbed to his addiction.

Besides his parents, Derek is survived by his son, Connor of Middletown, his brother Nicholas of Middletown. His grandmother Mary Sbona He was predeceased by his two grandfathers Joseph Sbona and Eugene Mandeville, his grandmother Gail Mandeville and his fur baby Marley girl. Derek had a love for his family and fur babies. He leaves us with immense sadness for a life that ended too soon.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday November 8, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at Vox Church 653 S. Main St, Middletown. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.  Calling hours will be held on Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver St., Middletown.  To share memories or express condolences online please visit www.biegafuneralhome.com .