Obituary for Joseph George Drake
On the morning of December 21, 2021 Joe died the way he lived; active and busy. He was outside in front of his man-cave garage preparing the car for the drive to Ottawa to lunch with his good friend JP. His trademark cigar as yet unlit, was lying beside him. He was in his 81st year.
Joseph George Drake came into the world in Hamilton Ontario May 26, 1941, the only child of Joseph Drake and Mary Drake. He was a proud graduate of Nelson High School in Burlington and maintained lifelong friendships with his football and track teammates. At age 18 he hitchhiked around Europe solo. Joe attended Waterloo Lutheran University and the University of Toronto earning a Bachelor of Education degree followed by a short high school teaching career in Cambridge Ontario were he would meet his lifelong friend Bob Somerville. He took his students on archeological digs. Joe was always the educator.
In 1967 he met his soulmate and trusty travel companion Sandy (nee Tipping). They were married on August 24th, 1968. Joe adored the love of his life for the next 53 years. They were inseparable. He’d grumble when she left him for an afternoon to play a round of golf.
In 1982 Joe and Sandy moved to Renfrew to open the first of what would later be three McDonald’s restaurants. Joe and Sandy always spoke with great pride and affection of the exceptional Ottawa Valley young people who were part of their McDonald’s crews in Renfrew and Arnprior. Joe was on the first Board of Directors of the Ronald McDonald House near CHEO in Ottawa where “he was loved for his hard work, dedication, and passion”. Joe and Sandy were privileged to attend the opening of the first McDonald’s in Moscow.
Their hard work, success and good fortune afforded them their dream of seeing the world. There were many happy times sightseeing, skiing, boating, fishing, partying and golfing with dear friends Doug, Cathy, Bob, Delene, John, Judy, Bob, Sharon and JP.
Over the years Joe hunted deer and turkeys with Bob and Bill and pretended to hunt partridge in Foleyet with buddy JP although it was probably just a cover to enjoy more fine scotch and cigars!
Joe was an avid collector of wartime memorabilia. He had a special affection for his white vintage convertible Porsche. He read voraciously and was capable and willing to opine on a great variety of topics.
Whatever curmudgeonly traits were attributed to Joe absolutely melted away when he was in the presence of his Mom Mary. Dressed in a crisply ironed shirt and trousers he visited her faithfully, sometimes even borrowing Kassie, the neighbours’ Black Lab, to cheer up Mom and her co-residents at the Lodge.
Every morning before 6:30 am there were dog biscuits for Kassie in the newspaper box at the end of the driveway. Joe also spoke with great affection about their beloved and departed Springer Spaniels Chelsea and Lauren.
Tough guy. Yeah, right!
The Rosebrugh Road neighbourhood has lost one of its colourful anchor citizens and a helpful friend. We will miss the telltale waft of cigar smoke, the open garage doors letting us know that Joe was puttering about, the throaty groan of his thirty year old Honda snow blower and his unabridged commentary about the politics of the day. Breaking bread with friends won’t be the same without Joe’s voracious appetite and inciteful/insightful opinions.
Gone but not forgotten, indeed.
In accordance with Joe’s wishes his body has been donated to science at the University of Ottawa. At present there will not be a service. There will be a celebration of life in the spring when it can be conducted outdoors.
Donations may be made in memory of Joe Drake to Ronald McDonald House Charities, Ottawa online at www.zohrfuneralhome.com so that the family is aware of any donations.
Joseph George Drake came into the world in Hamilton Ontario May 26, 1941, the only child of Joseph Drake and Mary Drake. He was a proud graduate of Nelson High School in Burlington and maintained lifelong friendships with his football and track teammates. At age 18 he hitchhiked around Europe solo. Joe attended Waterloo Lutheran University and the University of Toronto earning a Bachelor of Education degree followed by a short high school teaching career in Cambridge Ontario were he would meet his lifelong friend Bob Somerville. He took his students on archeological digs. Joe was always the educator.
In 1967 he met his soulmate and trusty travel companion Sandy (nee Tipping). They were married on August 24th, 1968. Joe adored the love of his life for the next 53 years. They were inseparable. He’d grumble when she left him for an afternoon to play a round of golf.
In 1982 Joe and Sandy moved to Renfrew to open the first of what would later be three McDonald’s restaurants. Joe and Sandy always spoke with great pride and affection of the exceptional Ottawa Valley young people who were part of their McDonald’s crews in Renfrew and Arnprior. Joe was on the first Board of Directors of the Ronald McDonald House near CHEO in Ottawa where “he was loved for his hard work, dedication, and passion”. Joe and Sandy were privileged to attend the opening of the first McDonald’s in Moscow.
Their hard work, success and good fortune afforded them their dream of seeing the world. There were many happy times sightseeing, skiing, boating, fishing, partying and golfing with dear friends Doug, Cathy, Bob, Delene, John, Judy, Bob, Sharon and JP.
Over the years Joe hunted deer and turkeys with Bob and Bill and pretended to hunt partridge in Foleyet with buddy JP although it was probably just a cover to enjoy more fine scotch and cigars!
Joe was an avid collector of wartime memorabilia. He had a special affection for his white vintage convertible Porsche. He read voraciously and was capable and willing to opine on a great variety of topics.
Whatever curmudgeonly traits were attributed to Joe absolutely melted away when he was in the presence of his Mom Mary. Dressed in a crisply ironed shirt and trousers he visited her faithfully, sometimes even borrowing Kassie, the neighbours’ Black Lab, to cheer up Mom and her co-residents at the Lodge.
Every morning before 6:30 am there were dog biscuits for Kassie in the newspaper box at the end of the driveway. Joe also spoke with great affection about their beloved and departed Springer Spaniels Chelsea and Lauren.
Tough guy. Yeah, right!
The Rosebrugh Road neighbourhood has lost one of its colourful anchor citizens and a helpful friend. We will miss the telltale waft of cigar smoke, the open garage doors letting us know that Joe was puttering about, the throaty groan of his thirty year old Honda snow blower and his unabridged commentary about the politics of the day. Breaking bread with friends won’t be the same without Joe’s voracious appetite and inciteful/insightful opinions.
Gone but not forgotten, indeed.
In accordance with Joe’s wishes his body has been donated to science at the University of Ottawa. At present there will not be a service. There will be a celebration of life in the spring when it can be conducted outdoors.
Donations may be made in memory of Joe Drake to Ronald McDonald House Charities, Ottawa online at www.zohrfuneralhome.com so that the family is aware of any donations.