Want to have your business advert viewed over 2 million times per month? Email us at Turtleboysports@gmail.com for more information, and check out our website about types of advertising we offer.
Editor’s Note: Today we received five different messages from police officers and healthcare workers, informing us that Derek Thomas had passed. Many of these sources are the same people who gave us the information about Jorge Zambrano during the standoff in Rochdale, and have proved themselves reliable. However, some people have posted conflicting information. So we contacted our sources once again and they remain steadfast that the story is true. However, we have decided to temporarily unpublish this story until we get more information. Either way, Derek Thomas has been in the hospital for days, there was a call to notify his next of kin, and the message of the blog remains the same – giving money to panhandlers hurts their chances for survival.
20 Comment(s)
It breaks my heart with the realization that an individuals passing away has given the majority of you commenters an opportunity to verbally bash him. It’s already been said that YES he was an alcoholic ,YES he had an odor, and unfortunately most of you say he was annoying (never thought of him that way), but through all his messy days how many of you negative and disrespectful commenting idiots can honestly say that YES you took the time out to stop and ask if he was ok? How many can say YES they even cared if he was ok? OF COURSE none of you cared because it wasn’t your mother, father, sister, brother, grandfather, grandmother, or you’re friend.
I will end this saying I had the pleasure of working for an organization this past ten months that went above and beyond for DT! They never encouraged his drinking but definitely never turned him away, spoke negatively about him or to him, or became annoyed with his apparent sloppy, stinky attire but instead they reached out to every possible avenue to get Mr. Thomas help. He was extremely respectful, always ready to have a conversation and other than alcohol he loved his hot chocolate and flirting, in not a perverted way but in a way that made you have hope for him that one day he would be able to pull himself together and enjoy life with a partner.
Turtleboysports…I have followed you for some time now, told others about how great your blogs are, even looked past the previous blog about Mr. Thomas…BUT I can officially say you’re an Idiot for taking the death of an individual as a way for you and your blog to get even more publicity. This should have never been a topic! I will no longer support your page.
I was in Worcester house of cupcakes with D a few years back, he was my neighbor, he was always pleasant and positive nd funny he made my stay all that much better. He would to my cell every other day and borrow my mirror, I saw a man who wanted to look good and take care of himself . . I would see D when we got out and I would always stop and talk to him, he never remembered me, but u will never forget him. Rest Easy in God’s kingdom God bless u and my condolences to your family. only God can judge, shame on u for thinking you are better than anyone, I pray for you too
You should only hope and pray that one of ur family members dosent have a problem w/ drugs or alcohol! Whatever he chooses to do w/ his life is his decision. Let’s get to the real story. Who hurt this human,that’s what he is. A bleeding, breathing human just like the rest of us. HAVW SOME COMPASSION!! Some people make me sick!!!!
Fuck all you fucking pieces of shit I known him all his life the pic you are showing is not him fuck turtle boy attention grabbing idiot show the man respect you’re a real piece of shit fucking maggot
I have heard some of the worst comments about this man! Yes, he was a panhandler, yes he was a “drunk” could he be annoying (spelled correctly unlike earlier post) but, he was a man, a father, a brother, a son as well as someone’s family but, most importantly he was a human! People say “he cost the City/State millions” here’s the think DT never personally called an ambulance he was content on the side of the road with his vodka sleeping! It was good samaritan’s who called , it was Police finding him and doing their job to help. DT put smiles on some of our faces as well as made our nose curl but, he was still a human. People also forget he was a victim of a horrible beaten years ago. There are so many others “abusing ” the EMS services but, because they aren’t the “drunks” people aren’t wishing death or being disrespectful! To D Train’s family my condolences.
Extremely well said Mary Mac. It was always a pleasure to see Derek
He was a well educated guy who grew up in the Shrewsbury St area and was very well known, not for his drinking, but for playing football as well. He was a nice guy and very pleasant and cordial to speak with when he was drunk or sober. If you stopped to talk to him, you would have found out he had brain damage from a savage beating years ago and could no longer help himself for the way he is today. To Derek’s family. my sincere condolences. I was one who had the privelege of knowing and working with Derek. I, at least will miss him.
Thank you for saying this, He wasn’t always that way people fail to look into the person and find out what really happen, I’ve know him for many many years and he has had some trying times in his life and i hate that people talk about a person they truly know nothing about. What happen to let us not judge other unless you be judged. leave the passing judgement to God.
All addictions, obsessions and compulsions are self-destructive – alcohol causing the most collateral damage. Alcoholics are physiologically dependent; drug addicts.psychologically. During withdrawal, alcoholics could die, drug addicts only wished they would.
It’s really hard to resist panhandlers, but you’re right: I wouldn’t hand him another bottle of alcohol, so why would I hand him cash that he’ll just use to get a bottle?
I don’t know what the answer would be for a situation like this. What would he willingly have accepted?
Damn. Have some compassion. Rest in peace D Train. Sincerely, one of Worcester’s first responders
The man is a legend. Guinness World Records worthy for sure. R.I.P.
I remember this guy. Leaned into my car and stole a $2 bill out of my wallet. That was my lucky $2 bill
So no two page exposé on how he deserved to die like you would a junkie just cuz he was a drunk and not a heroin addict?… Double standards. Drunks are probably the worst addicts to be a danger to society.
I remember “meeting” him almost a year ago in the hospital. He was honestly horrible and beyond anniying there. If he got his shit together, he wouldn’t have died. I’M not saying he deserved it, but after all his years, he caused it.
The job of EMS is not to judge but to show compassion for the less fortunate.
No – their job is to medically treat anyone and everyone, rich or poor, that is in need.
Save your empathy for your fellow SJW hypocrites
Lighten up Francis!
And I was just about to name him the city’s Minority Health Outreach Coordinator!
Too bad. Wonder where that extra $3M will be transferred to now. I vote for your city buy Blue Police Ribbons for every tree.