Erdal Dere, the New York-based art dealer associated with Fortuna Fine Arts, has died at the age of 56. According to his published obituary, Dere passed away on October 13, 2026, leaving behind his wife, children, parents, sister and an extended family whose lives were closely connected to his.
The obituary, published by Feeney Funeral Home, remembers Dere as a devoted family man whose kindness and generosity made a lasting impression on those who knew him. His wife, Erin, and their children, Lilly and Patrick, were described as the center of his life.
News of his death comes as family members and friends prepare to gather in New Jersey to pay their respects. His passing also brings renewed attention to his career in the antiquities trade and the legal proceedings involving Fortuna Fine Arts in the final years of his professional life.
Who Was Erdal Dere?
Erdal Dere was a New York art dealer known for his connection to Fortuna Fine Arts, a Manhattan gallery that dealt in antiquities and other historical objects.
His professional life placed him in the international antiquities market, where an object’s history of ownership, known as provenance, is an important part of establishing its authenticity and legitimacy.
Dere became the subject of federal proceedings connected to transactions involving antiquities and provenance documentation. Those proceedings became a significant part of the public record surrounding his business career.
His life story therefore includes both the family relationships highlighted in his obituary and a documented legal history connected to his work in the art trade.
Key Facts About Erdal Dere
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Erdal Dere |
| Age at death | 56 |
| Date of birth | April 1, 1970 |
| Date of death | October 13, 2026 |
| Residence listed in obituary | New York, New York |
| Profession | Art dealer |
| Business association | Fortuna Fine Arts |
| Wife | Erin |
| Children | Lilly and Patrick |
| Parents | Selim and Aysel Dere |
| Sister | Semra |
| Visitation | October 16, 2026 |
| Funeral Mass | October 17, 2026 |
| Cause of death | Not stated in the published obituary |
Family Remembers a Devoted Husband and Father
The obituary describes Dere as someone whose kindness and generosity were felt by people fortunate enough to know him. It places particular emphasis on his relationship with his immediate family.
His wife, Erin, and their children, Lilly and Patrick, were identified as his greatest source of pride and happiness. The notice also mentions the family’s dog, Peanut, reflecting the affection Dere had for the household and the everyday life he shared with those closest to him.
He is survived by his parents, Selim and Aysel Dere, and his sister, Semra, who is married to Mark Stiles. The obituary also names relatives on his wife’s side of the family, including Patrice and her husband, Dr. Ian Shupack, as well as Sean Neary and father-in-law Bobby Pryor.
His surviving relatives also include numerous nieces and nephews. Their names are listed in the funeral home’s notice, alongside a message recognizing the many friends who will miss him.
The family announcement does not disclose a cause of death. No explanation should therefore be assumed or added without a reliable confirmation.
Career and Connection to Fortuna Fine Arts
Fortuna Fine Arts became associated with Dere through its work in the antiquities market. The gallery’s business involved historical objects, a field in which dealers, collectors, auction houses and researchers often rely on documentary evidence to establish where an artifact originated and who previously owned it.
Provenance can be especially important when dealing with ancient objects because gaps or inconsistencies in ownership records may raise questions about whether an item was legally acquired or exported.
Dere’s work at Fortuna Fine Arts brought him into that environment. However, his professional history also became the focus of federal scrutiny over transactions involving antiquities and the documentation used to describe their ownership histories.
Federal Case Involving Antiquities Transactions
Court records document a federal criminal case involving Erdal Dere and transactions connected to Fortuna Fine Arts.
In May 2026, Dere pleaded guilty to five counts in a superseding information, according to a subsequent federal forfeiture order. The counts included conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States.
The court record also documents an agreement to forfeit $1,110,250, representing proceeds connected to the offenses, as well as certain property interests. An amended preliminary order of forfeiture was entered in October 2026.
These are matters of public record and form part of the documented history of the case. They are distinct from the personal tributes in Dere’s obituary, which focus on his family relationships and the loss experienced by those who knew him personally.
The legal proceedings are relevant to a complete account of his public professional history, but they do not change the need to report his death and family details respectfully and accurately.
Funeral and Memorial Arrangements
According to Feeney Funeral Home, visitation is scheduled for Friday, October 16, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the funeral home, located at 232 Franklin Avenue in Ridgewood, New Jersey.
A Funeral Mass is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, at noon at St. Mark’s Syriac Orthodox Cathedral, 55 West Midland Avenue in Paramus, New Jersey. Interment is to follow at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus.
The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Dere’s memory to Convent of the Sacred Heart or Saint David’s School. The obituary says the request is intended to help provide other children with educational opportunities to learn, grow and thrive.
Those planning to attend should check the funeral home’s official notice for any changes to the arrangements.
Tributes From Friends and the Wider Community
Messages posted on the funeral home’s memorial page reflect the sadness of friends and acquaintances following Dere’s death. Contributors have shared condolences, planted memorial trees and expressed sympathy to his wife and children.
The messages describe a man remembered by some as a close friend who welcomed others and brought warmth to their lives. One tribute recalls his generosity in allowing a friend to stay at the gallery, while others offer support to his family during their loss.
Such messages provide a personal view of the relationships he maintained outside his professional life. They also show the importance of the family and friendships that remain central to the published obituary.
A Life Remembered by Family and Friends
Erdal Dere’s death at 56 marks a loss for his immediate family and the many people who knew him. His obituary emphasizes the affection he had for his wife and children, his wider family ties and the friendships he developed over the years.
His professional life was also part of a public record that included a federal case related to antiquities transactions. A complete account of his life should acknowledge verified facts about both his career and his family without speculation or exaggeration.
As relatives, friends and acquaintances gather in New Jersey, the funeral arrangements provide an opportunity to remember him and offer support to those closest to him.
Disclaimer: This article draws on the published funeral-home obituary and publicly available court records. The obituary does not state a cause of death, so none has been inferred. Legal information is summarized from court documents and should be understood in that context. Funeral arrangements may change; readers should consult the funeral home’s notice for the latest details.