Irving Zachary Dermer passed away peacefully at home on the morning of July 3rd. He was born in Brooklyn NY on September 19, 1950, the first child of Myra and Milton Dermer. He later grew up in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York, on his parents’ dairy farm. As a youth he developed a love for cooking. He studied hotel technology and food and beverage management and worked as a gourmet chef, and later managed two hotels in Ithaca, NY. He opened his own New York Style delicatessen in Ithaca and later moved to Durham to operate a delicatessen. For the last 13 years he was a real estate broker with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services in Durham. Irving made an indelible impression on anyone he came in contact with. A big-hearted, fun loving, generous man, he touched the hearts of all who knew him. His love of boating and fishing was second only to his devotion to family. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Sarabeth, his daughter Shawna, his sons Benjamin and Robert, a sister Jean Dermer and lifelong friend Rhea Cohen. His beloved brother David predeceased him. A memorial service will be held at the Unity Spiritual Life Center at 2604 Carver St. in Durham on Wednesday July 9th at 1:00 pm. Afterwards friends will be received at his home. Donations may be made in his name to the Durham Rescue Mission or the Duke Home Care and Hospice.