Derek Leland (Czaplicki) Taylor, a lifelong resident of Brewster, loved music, exploring the woods and ponds of Cape Cod, history, sharing ideas and information with others, landscaping, skateboarding and shooting hoops with his buddies, according to his obituary.
He was proud of his Polish, Irish and Native American heritage. He was a funny and very caring young man. He was a proud employee of Stop & Shop of Orleans for two years, his obituary says.
In September 2013, his mother, Jennifer Taylor, stood among a crowd of about 200 gathered on the Hyannis Village Green for an annual Cape overdose vigil.
Although she did not speak on stage, she wasn't hiding, either. Only five weeks earlier, on Aug. 18, 2013, Derek, died of an overdose at the age of 26, she told the Cape Cod Times.
"I don't have any answers," said Taylor, of Brewster, who is a licensed mental health counselor. "Except, no shame, no blame."