ROGER E. DREW SR.

ROGER E. DREW SR. KNOX – Roger E. Drew Sr., 79, passed away peacefully at his home in Knox on Thursday morning, Feb. 12, 2004, after a short battle with cancer, surrounded by his loving family. He will now be truly at peace. He was born Sept. 30, 1924, in Dyer Brook, the son of Basil and Annie (Teed) Drew. He attended Unity School and Freedom Academy. During his senior year he was drafted into the U.S. Navy during World War II. He spent time aboard the U.S.S. Colahan DD-658 from May 25, 1943, through Jan. 26, 1946, where he made some very lasting relationships with the men in his crew. He was a member of the Topsham VFW, the American Legion No. 50 Unity and the Frye Mountain Sno-Riders in Knox. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Evelyn Stewart in Albion on Nov. 3, 1942. They just celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary this past November. His greatest passion of all was hunting and fishing with his family and friends. He had a passion for coyote hunting and was often referred to as the “Coyote Buster.” In the fall, he loved to deer hunt with his family and good friends. Whether he got one or not, he simply enjoyed the thrill of the hunt. He taught many of us family members about hunting. November of 2003 was the first time in 65 years that he was unable to go deer hunting. Over the years, he operated his own chicken farm in Knox, and also worked at Waldo Shoe Factory in Belfast, Spencer’s Trading Post in Fairfield, and the Fairfield True Value Hardware Store. He owned and operated a Polaris Dealership in Knox from 1969-1973. He loved to snowmobile with his family and friends and last rode during the winter of 2002. Polaris was his lifelong favorite brand of snowmobile. “Gramp” was always spending time with his family. He loved each and every one of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He thoroughly enjoyed teaching the younger ones about hunting and fishing. He was well known for his practical joking, telling rhymes and many stories to anyone who would listen. He will surely miss his lobster feed and wild turkey. He was known by his close associates as the “Reverend” Drew. You could often see him walking up and down Webb Road looking for signs of wildlife in the area or see him riding on his new John Deere yard tractor. He also enjoyed watching the Red Sox play baseball throughout the years. He was a true Sox fan. He will greatly be missed by one and all. He was predeceased by his brothers Cecil, Carl and Frank; and also by a precious baby granddaughter, Pamela Jean Drew. He is survived by his sister, Ruth her husband, Arnold Higgins, of Belfast, Norman Drew his wife, Ruth, of Freedom; his sister, Marion Curtis of Belfast; his brother, Laurel Drew of Thorndike; step-sister, Eva Giro; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and a very special nephew, Ronnie McDonald of Winslow. He is also survived by his loving wife, Evelyn (Stewart) Drew; daughters, Rita Doughty of Knox, Marilyn and husband, Clarence McKenney, all of Knox, Dawna and husband, Raymond Routhier, of Oakland; sons, Roger Jr. and wife, Brenda, of Unity, Dwayne Sr. and wife, JoAnne; his grandchildren, Linwood Jr. and his wife, April, Kevin and his wife, Tonja, Wayne and his wife, Laura Doughty, Roger III and his wife, Jodie Drew, Sonya and her husband, Gary Merrifield Jr., Kimberly and her husband, LeRoy Fowler, Dwayne Drew Jr. and his fianc_e, Lissa Hubble, and Tanya and her husband, Mike Braley, Melissa and her husband, Dennis Hewins Jr., Derek, and Kristen McKenney and Aaron Nickerson; and step-grandchildren, Tammy McCue, Lori Davidson, Ronnie St. Laurent and Tony Routhier; his great-grandchildren, Alialin, Gabriel, Kevin, Ashley, Kaylib, Kyle and Kayden, Cody, Sara, Katie, Roger IV, Justice, Jennifer, Heather, Drew, Dannyel, Darrett, Stephen, Alexis, Tristan, Zachary and Jacie, and another one due in October of this year; also, step-great-grandchildren, Amber Drew, Ray, Jonny, Kenny, Miranda McCue, Kevin and Brandon Davidson, as well as one step-great-great grandchild Alec Drew. A memorial celebration of his life will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, 2004, at the Lawry Brothers Memorial and Remembrance Centre (Unity Centre for the Performing Arts), 42 Depot St., Unity, with the Rev. Fred Williams officiating. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Mrs. Evelyn Drew, 1099 Webb Road, Knox, ME 04986.