Ilion High School - Class of 1939

Utica Observer - May 21, 1985

Joseph J. Derby Obituary

Article 6

ILION - Joseph J. Derby, 63, of Alexandria, Va., formerly of Ilion, a retired Director of News Information for NBC News, died Sunday, May 19, 1985 in Alexandria, VA.

He was born on August 25, 1921 in Ilion, the son of William J. and Mary Ann Scanlon Derby and graduated from Ilion High School and the University of Missouri, majoring in Journalism. Mr. Derby was a Veteran of WW II, serving in the U.S. Army, being wounded in action at the Battle of The Bulge. At one time, he was married to Mary Beth Munger in Long Meadows, Mass. In his early years, Mr. Derby was employed as a reporter at the Commercial Appeal Newspaper in Memphis, Tenn. He later became the Director of News Information for the NBC Press Dept. in N.Y. City for 18 years, retiring in 1979. Most recently, he was the Director of Press Information at the American Petroleum Institute in Washington, D.C., retiring in 1982, becoming a Consultant for the Institute. Mr. Derby was a resident of Washington for the past six years, coming from Pelham. N.Y. He was a member of the Church of The Annunciation in Ilion. Mr. Derby was in charge of the communications arrangements in Paris, France for the Vietnam Peace Treaty for NBC News, among many other achievements.

Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. John (Kathy) Dahlen of Virginia, Ill. and Peggy Derby of Denver, Colo.; three sons, William and Michael Derby of Los Angeles, Calif, and Peter Derby of Byron, N.Y.; three sisters, Mrs. Theresa Ireland of Burlington, VT., Mrs. James (Frances) Mullins of Amherst, N.H., and Margaret Derby of Ilion; her brother and sister-in-law, Earl and Ruth Derby of Ilion; two grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Derby was predeceased by his sister, Mary Derby.

Funeral services will be held 8:30 a.m. Thursday at the Applegate Funeral Home. Ilion and 9 a.m. at the Church of The Annunciation. Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery. Calling hours are Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9.