John Charles Dreier, 1st Sgt. USMC Ret., age 73, passed away at home on June 6, 2018, from his courageous battle with lung cancer while under the compassionate care of VITAS Hospice, his wife, children and grandchild. John was born in North Tonawanda, New York on May 4, 1945 to John and Shirley Dreier. He attended North Tonawanda High School and played trumpet while in the band. He served for over 22 years in the U. S. Marine Corps which included tours at NATO Headquarters, CINCLANTFLEET, Norfolk, VA; as a Drill Instructor at 2nd RTB, Parris Island, SC from March of 1967 to December 1969; Republic of Vietnam; Women Recruit Training Battalion, Parris Island, SC; HQTRS 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, NC; Okinawa, Japan (3 Tours); HQTRS (G3), 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Cherry Point, NC; MWSG 27, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Cherry Point, NC; MARTD, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, NAS, Norfolk, VA; HQTRS, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, New Orleans, LA; and Naval Air Rework Facility, MCAS, Cherry Point, NC. Upon his retirement in 1984 he and his family moved to Titusville, FL to care for his mother and sisters who were ill. During that time he worked at the Engineering and Economic Research firm in Orlando, FL until the company moved to Newport News, VA. He then went to work at River Lanes in Titusville, FL.
John’s favorite tour of duty was at Parris Island, SC as drill instructor where he was proud of his role in molding young men into Marines. John also enjoyed bowling, fishing, playing cards, reading, listening to music, singing and dancing.
John was preceded in death by his father, John L. Dreier of Tonawanda, NY; his mother, Shirley Dreier; and sisters, Judith Green; and Jennifer Zenewicz of Tonawanda, NY and Titusville, FL.
John was an outstanding Marine, a kind and caring man and a loving husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Loretta of 52 years; daughter, Dawn (Bill) Robinson; son, Michael and his grandchildren, Kaitlin (Jason) Owens; Josh (Heather) Robinson; Heather (Moriah) Lynch; great grandchildren, Colton, Peyton and Kinsley Robinson and Logan Lynch and many nephews, nieces, and cousins around the country.
John will be buried at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, FL.
