Francis X Drew

Dr. Francis X. Drew, 64, of North Easton, passed away Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011, at the Copley at Stoughton Nursing Care Center after a courageous battle with Multiple System Atrophy, a rare form of Parkinson's Disease. He was surrounded by his family and close friends. He was the beloved husband of Janice L. (Kocur) Drew. Born May 3, 1946, in Cambridge, Francis was raised in Watertown. Even as a young child, he dreamed of becoming a doctor. He also discovered golf at a young age, and spent many summers caddying at Oakley Country Club in Watertown. A graduate of Matignon High School in Cambridge, he continued his education at his beloved Boston College, graduating in 1967. He then continued on to St. Louis University Medical School, where he received his medical degree in 1971 and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. While in St. Louis, Frank met a beautiful young nurse named Janice. They soon fell in love, and wed outside Chicago, Jan. 20, 1972. Together, they moved back to Massachusetts and lived in Watertown while Frank completed his medical training and fellowship in Cardiology at Boston City Hospital. Frank and Jan soon welcomed two children, Brian and Laurie, and settled in Easton to raise their family. After his family, Frank's greatest passion in life was caring for his patients, and he dedicated himself to his career in Cardiology. In 1977, he joined Medical Specialists of Brockton, and later practiced at Park Medical Associates and Caritas Christi Medical Group. Dr. Drew was an incredibly devoted physician who gave endless amounts of time to his practice. He was truly beloved by his patients, who knew that he always would be there for them. He was a gentle and comforting presence for both patients and staff at Good Samaritan/Cardinal Cushing Medical Center for over 25 years, where his dry sense of humor brought smiles to many faces. Tragically, Dr. Drew was afflicted by Multiple System Atrophy at a young age and was forced to retire. He so missed his patients after his retirement, but never stopped caring about them. Frank was a generous husband, father, grandfather and friend, who was known for his keen wit, integrity and kindness. When he was not with his family or patients, he was an avid golfer, and spent many happy hours in pursuit of the "perfect putter." He was a longstanding member of Thorny Lea Golf Club in Brockton, and a familiar face around the clubhouse and on the greens, where he enjoyed many mornings golfing with a foursome of loyal friends. His wife often said that she married Frank first, medicine second, and golf third. Frank also was a member of Holy Cross Church in Easton, and resident of Fox Hill in Easton. In the last few years, Frank discovered the joy of becoming a grandfather and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, Sarah, Jack and Benjamin. They spent many cozy hours snuggled on the couch reading with their "Papa." He always was young at heart, and enjoyed a uniquely close bond with his grandchildren. Frank could not wait to share his love of Disney World with his grandchildren, and his family enjoyed a magical trip there together in 2008. Frank is survived by Janice, his beloved wife of 38 years; and his loving children, Brian and his wife Dyan of Woonsocket, R.I., and Laurie Drew Hubbard and her husband Jon of Canton; also by grandchildren, Sarah, Jack and Benjamin Hubbard; brother, Edward and his family of Watertown; mother-in-law, Marjorie Kocur of Illinois; sisters-in-law, Jackie St. Peters and husband Doug of Illinois and Laurie Macintyre and husband Jim of Michigan; brother-in-law, Michael Kelly of Indiana; and many nieces, nephews and cousins, including his favorite cousins, Claire Recker of Falmouth, Maine, and her family, and Marilyn Gay of Belmont and her family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Rose Drew, and by his father-in-law, Stanley Kocur. Funeral from the Russell & Pica Funeral Home, 165 Belmont St. (Rte. 123), Brockton, Friday at 9:30 a.m. thence to Holy Cross Church, 225 Purchase St., South Easton, where a funeral Mass will be celebrated for the repose of his soul at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in Immaculate Conception Cemetery, North Easton. Calling hours Thursday 4-8 p.m. Donations in Dr. Drew's memory may be made to My Brother's Keeper, P.O. Box 338, Easton, MA 02356 (www.mybrotherskeeper.org). For directions, obituary and guest book, visit www.RussellFuneralHome.com. Published in The Enterprise from January 11 to January 13, 2011