Derek Reilly Lessard was born Jan. 29, 1987, to Tim and Kris Lessard in Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada. He died of an accidental drug overdose in Washington D.C. where he lived and worked.

His real home, though, was always in International Falls/Ranier, and he was so proud of his Minnesota heritage, especially his Ranier roots.

He graduated from Falls High in 2005 and attended one year at UMass Boston, then transferred to Georgetown University. He graduated from Georgetown in 2009 with a Bachelors degree in English, and stayed in D.C. to work.

He was a gifted writer and voracious reader. He was making plans for grad school, hoping to become a university professor one day — although he already had all the ingredients of a true scholar. He had a beautiful mind, a fierce intellect and an unwavering commitment to truth. He was strange and weird and brilliant in all the best ways.

Music was a passion for him. He enjoyed not only listening to his favorite bands and attending concerts, but also making music in a series of bands over the years in high school, always including his big brother Don. He played the National Anthem as a guitar solo at his high school graduation.

He loved spending time with his brother and family and friends. Derek had a close and special relationship with his grandmother, Edna Doris, always looking forward to a grand meal at her kitchen table. He was known for speaking his mind in spite of the consequences. He was a loyal, kind and thoughtful young man.

He enjoyed watching professional hockey games, and if you turned on the TV after he’d been at your house you would always find it tuned to the hockey channel.

He was preceded in death by grandmother Lorraine Lessard, and grandfathers Lloyd Oveson, Joe Doris and Butch Lessard.

He is survived by his parents, brother and best friend Don and partner Tim Tate; grandmother Edna Doris; and large families on both the Oveson and Lessard sides of the family, whom he loved dearly, and who were always so kind to him. Last but never least, his beloved cat Dexter, whom he rescued from the cold on a November day many years ago.

We wanted so many more years with him, more adventures, more laughs, more barbeques, more time together. You never know which “I love you” will be your last. Say it every time.

A private service will be held.