John F. Derham died peacefully on August 5, 2011 at the Artman Lutheran Home in Ambler, PA.

Born August 16, 1935 to John F. and Frances (Diamond) Derham, he lived in the Philadelphia area his entire life. A graduate of St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, John attended Villanova University and graduated from Drexel University with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. He did post-graduate work in Business Administration at Temple University. After serving in the U.S. Army in 1958, he was recalled during the Berlin Crisis in 1961. He married Julie Ann (Judy) Paugh in 1967. They have one daughter, Julie Ann, born in 1982.

After a time on the sales force at J.J. Nesbitt I Philadelphia, he acquired Thermoline Inc. in Cherry Hill, NJ. His company did the air-conditioning systems in Resorts International as well as the Sands Hotels and Casinos when these Las Vegas entities were starting up in Atlantic City.

John retired in his early 50’s but quickly turned his interests to developing beach-front properties on Long Beach Island, NJ. He enjoyed the outdoors and has hiked the back country in every major North American national park as well as in Bavaria and the Swiss Alps. He and his family vacationed extensively in Aspen, Colorado and traveled throughout Europe, South America, Africa and Asia. In addition to playing golf and tennis, skiing and jogging, he was fascinated by chess. His Friday night games often lasted until dawn.

An unassuming man, he was often sought out by young professionals seeking direction in starting their own business. His advice was both practical and generously given. His own family’s business was a source of great interest to him, both personally and as a business case study. The Derham Body Company (1887-1971) made custom-built auto bodies for such notables as Joseph Stalin, Pope Pius XII, King Farouk, Pres. Eisenhower and Gary Cooper. The company was the only classic-era coach builder that survived the Great Depression. Bryn Mawr’s fire trucks are still painted green to this day in honor of the paint donated by the Derham Body Company in the early days of the fire company.

In addition to his wife Judy and their daughter Julie Ann, he is survived by his brother Jim (Joan) and many nieces and nephews. He was a member of the Philadelphia Country Club in Gladwyne.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Our Mother of Consolation Church, 9 East Chestnut Hill Avenue, Philadelphia, PA on Friday, August 12, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. The family will received friends from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Interment will follow in the family mausoleum at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.