Henry Joseph Drake

After several years of suffering from chronic pain and mental health issues, our cherished son, Henry Drake, passed away in Vancouver, BC, on March 25, 2024. Henry was born February 23, 2003 in Saskatoon, SK.

He was a precocious child, thoughtful and full of energy and humour. He loved adventures and experiences: he was deeply affected by the beauty of the natural world. He was accepted and embraced at Auntie Susannah’s daycare by her and her whole family - it was his second home. Henry could draw for hours, and always used art to express his thoughts and feelings. If his brother-in-law, Jeremy, was in town for the tattoo convention, Henry would sit in the booth with him and draw pictures with seriousness like he was one of the tattoo team. Henry was fiercely independent from an early age. He found deep fellowship with nature and other kids at St. John Bosco Wilderness Camp, which he attended as a camper and later as a camp counsellor.

As a teenager, Henry trained as a lifeguard and swim instructor, and worked at the University PAC and for the City of Saskatoon. He took memorable family trips to Hawaii and Mexico and Toronto, and there were also some beloved train adventures through the mountains between Saskatoon and Vancouver. Visiting his Vancouver family was his most cherished activity. Henry was a foodie from an early age, and still holds the record for most Smoked Salmon Eggs Benny orders over a lifetime at the Park Café.

As an adult, Henry moved to Vancouver where his sister lives. He was deeply attached to Allison and her family. He soon had a community of friends in Vancouver too, who understood his mental health struggles and physical pain and supported him through those daily challenges.

Henry worked in construction in Vancouver and aspired to apprentice as a professional carpenter. He was proud of the work he did, and his colleagues valued his contributions and his willingness to learn. We are so thankful for their generous encouragement. Henry loved fishing, paddleboarding, walks in nature, cooking and eating, and playing videogames with an old Saskatoon friend online. He used art always as an outlet to process and understand his experiences. He loved deeply, and fell in love deeply, and was loved by others just for being himself.

Henry was predeceased by his special friend, Alyssa. They had found each other in the universe.

Henry will be missed and remembered by his mother Gwen Schmidt, father Jim Drake, sister Allison Drake, brother-in-law Jeremy Riley, nieces Elle and Zsofia Riley, beloved Aunts and Uncles, friend Sherry Drake, and family and friends near and far. Thank you to Dr. Aaron Friggstad for a lifetime of loving care, and to the teams at Raven Song Community Health Centre and Venture in Vancouver for their health support and loving encouragement.

We were proud of the adult that our son had become. He was a generous and compassionate person, full of love and kindness, despite his many challenges. Henry highly valued freedom and personal agency all his life. He always strove to live his life in his own way with honesty and integrity. He is no longer suffering; he is free from pain. He will want us all to live our best lives, while taking care of each other. We will do that with pride and joy, in Henry’s honour.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Drake family.

A small memorial service will be held in Vancouver at a later date. Donations can be made to the Canadian Mental Health Association.