In Memoriam – John Richard Drew WCS #510

Western Cover Society member John Richard Drew

John Richard Drew (WCS #510) March 3, 1930 – August 17, 2022
Third generation San Josean

John R. Drew III, a third generation native San Josean, passed away of heart failure at the age of 92
on Aug 17, 2022. He graduated from San Jose High School in 1948, and from San Jose State University in 1952, where he was an active member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He met his wife of 63 years, Nancy Hardy, at a mutual Greek function and was married
shortly thereafter. John and Nancy loved to dance, socialize with their friends, and never missed a summer vacation with their family at Lake Tahoe.

John worked for 25 years as an estimator for San Jose Steel before opening his own estimating business. He started stamp collecting at a young age and moved on to postcards, first day covers, and Western Postal History. He was a member of the Western Cover Society for over 54 years, having held virtually every officer’s position for 36 of those years as well as having received many awards. For example, in John’s first time exhibiting, he won Gold, The President’s Trophy, and the W.T. Adams Novice Award (for the best first-time exhibitor) at the February, 1977, San Jose, CA “Filatelic Fiesta” for his “San Jose-From Pueblo to the First State’s Golden Jubilee.”

He was a member of the San Jose Stamp Club and the San Jose Postcard Club. He joined the Masons early on and became a Master Mason with the Willow Glen Fraternity Lodge.

In 1960, John and Nancy outgrew their Willow Glen house and designed and built their custom house in the foothills of North/East San Jose. John reconnected with his family roots at the Almaden Quicksilver Mines by volunteering his time at the museum as a researcher and docent. He was there for 25 years, and was awarded a plaque for his many hours of service.

John helped Nancy take care of the four grandchildren over twelve years, three days a week, so that sister Anne and daughter-in-law Kelly Drew could go to work as teachers. John was a wonderful chef and many of his dishes were favorites with the kids and family, especially his BBQ smoked turkey and cioppino. John and Nancy loved to see the grandkids grow and prosper.

John was predeceased by his parents, wife Nancy Drew, daughter Anne (Drew) Carlson, and brother Dean Drew. He is survived by his son Jack Drew (wife Kelly Drew), grandchildren Katie (Drew) Paruso (husband Ben Paruso), Justin Drew (wife Angela Drew), Lisa Casagrande (husband Daren Casagrande), Julie Haro (husband Bert Haro), and two great grandchildren, Mason Casagrande and Leo Haro.

John’s sharing of time, love, and concern for others was endless, and he enriched the lives of so many people along the way. He will be greatly missed.

Donations in John’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Assocation: www.alz.org or to the American Heart Assocation: www.heart.org.