[Part 4]
... then, at age 18... this is a story he re-told to us, so i might have details confused, and many here might have first-hand accounts, but the story is still awesome. Drew, here in Florida, was taking part in a tennis camp or a tennis tournament... either way, he wore a navy blue polo or t-shirt while on the court.  Due to the stuffiness of the club and their stuffy dress code, he was ordered to wear a white shirt instead-- otherwise he wouldnt be allowed to compete.  So, perfectly, Drew looked into his bag and found a white t-shirt--> which had a giant image of Elmo, the red muppet.  Having satisfied the dress requirement of a white shirt, the club had to allow him to play.  Soon, the next day, in solidarity with Drew, his fellow competitors wore other white t-shirts with muppet faces.  I absolutely love how Drew made the best of an annoying situation-- providing a great story and being a great example to everyone including his 2 younger cousins.

So... i hope you found happiness in the sharing of these stories.  There are no words of consolation to Kris and Tom that i can provide to take away the heartache of the loss of Drew.  I can't ever get over the loss of Drew, but his kindness and good-nature lives on in my memory and all of our memories.

Love you, Uncle Norm

[Part 3]
... fast forward... to Drew at 12 years old... Drew visited us up in Rhode Island... my memory puts this in the winter of like 2008... so, picture temperatures at around 10-degrees... by this time, Kim and i had two sons of ages like 5 and 2... so, on a weeknight, after an amazing day of Drew with my sons of playing in the snow, and these cousins bonding with video games, and pizza, and watching movies-- it got to be late, but around midnight none of the kids could get to sleep due to the overall excitement.  Also, i think we were out of snacks, lol.  Drew hilariously proposed that we take a ride to Stop n Shop to get snacks... again, this is after midnight, and in 10-degree weather.  So 5 of us drove to the all-night supermarket and spent an hour from 1am to 2am shopping... among other things, Drew asked us to buy a carton of Duncan Hines icing so he could eat it straight from the jar with a spoon (we said No, lol), and also Drew pushed our shopping cart, which held our 4 year old Jack (who loved this) around the aisles like in a race car, sprinting and drifting as he turned down aisles-- at one point meeting back up with us with a carriage filled with boxes of Preparation H and also feminine products... ok we absolutely cracked up laughing, due to his hilarious item choices, and we decided that he earned him the carton of icing...

[Part 2]
At 6 years old... we had an extended family weekend down in Islamorada in the Keys, in around 2002, about a dozen of us... from my memory... after a full day at the beach, we went to get like ice cream-- most of us were sitting at the far end of a small plaza... Kris was getting our order, and handed Drew his cone.  We called over to Drew to join us in the shade at some picnic tables... he was maybe 100 feet away from us... as he began walking towards us, he waved to us, pointed to his cone, gave a thumbs up, and enjoy a lick or two... what a beautiful kid... however halfway between Drew and us, directly in his path, was a giant pile of dog poop, lol... and if he continued on his direct path, he would be stepping onto the pile.  So-- we called out pointing to him: "Drew-- hey!  watch out for the dog poop...!!"  He looked up at us and just waved and pointed to his cone again with his beaming smile... as he closed in on the pile, we got more frantic "Drew!! Whoa!! Stop!! Dont step in the poop!!"... Drew kept walking directly towards the pile, continuing to wave at us with a huge smile... then we all kinda leapt up in a last effort to save his shoes from the pile-- but at the last second he jumped over the pile laughing, and ran over to us and said something like "Ha, i saw the poop the whole time!!-- i was just "messin" with ya !!! "...

[Hello Everyone-- i wrote some thoughts-- due to 2,000 character limit, i'll post this message in multiple parts...]

Part 1...

I'm Drew's Uncle Norm.  My beautiful wife Kim and Drew's beautiful mother Kristine are sisters... and back in 1999, both Tom and i married into the family within two months of each other.

As part of joining the family-- as part of the package-- i suddenly had the pleasure of gaining into my life an amazing 8-year-old niece Crystal, and an amazing nephew Drew (who was 3 years old at the time!). In fact, at our wedding, Crystal was our flower girl and Drew was our ring bearer.

From the start i knew Drew was special and fun, with a great personality, and the ability even so young to light up the room with his happiness.  He spent much of his time with adults, which brought out his wit and cleverness.  When visiting Florida, as you can imagine, i far more enjoyed spending time with Drew than stuffy boring adults, lol.

I'd like to share 3 quick stories with you as examples of Drew's wit and personality, going way back... one from when he was at age 6, one from around age 12, and one from around age 18... these of course at the time were hilarious, and even many years later still crack me up laughing...

(Continued in Part 2...)

So many dope memories… From the first time I met Drew, I could just tell—his vibe was different. He wasn’t like most “tennis kids”… he was cool af, real, and just had that energy. I’m thankful for every moment—tournaments, whippin’ the GTI, that week he crashed at my place. I wish I had more pics with him, but he was my dog for real. Gonna miss him forever.

Drew is a very special person. I am so grateful to have gotten the chance to know him. He could brighten any day, always smiling and sharing his happiness. Anytime you spoke to Drew, he was always engaged and excited. It is difficult to describe how you could always tell he cared deeply for the people around him. His presence was unique. I only knew him a few years yet his impact was enormous. My family always says his personality was well beyond his years. His love for life and passion for the things he loved to do will never cease to inspire me. Even when he was going through his own things, he was encouraging and supportive. Drew had great character. I am blessed to have had a friend like him. I will always think of him and aspire to be more like him in all I do. He will be greatly missed by my family and I.

We are sending our condolences to Drew’s parents, Tom and Kris, as well as his family and friends.
Our memories of Drew is a smiling face, a big laugh, a beautiful person inside and out, a talented tennis player, a wonderful coach, a hard worker and a very good listener. 
Every time I think of him, it’s always a smiling Drew that I see.

Me Alex and Drew just catching up laughing about good times

Came down to visit everyone after Daytona bike week had to stop by and see my buddy Drew!!!

Whipping the jamazon home from budds creek national 2023

Drew you will forever be loved and missed by us. Thanks for teaching me the game of tennis 🎾 Sending love and prayers to the Engel family.

Drew was one of the happiest guys I ever met. He always had a smile on his face no matter how bad our kids drove him nuts. This was a time my son decided to show up to tennis class in his halloween costume… Drew was the first one to greet him and instantly made him feel welcome. My kids really looked up to him and were floored to hear the news. His legacy will live on. To Tom and Kris, I cannot begin to imagine how you are feeling, know that the community is here for you.

You always put a smile on everyone’s face. It was an absolute blessing to know you. Thank you for being you. I will cherish our memories forever. Rest easy Drew ❤️

Drew You Are Always In Our Thoughts And Forever In Our Hearts 🙏

In Loving Memory Of You Drew Is Forever In Our Hearts 🙏

Your laugh. Your smile. Im so lucky to have shared so many great childhood memories with you. I’ll never forget the day you moved to the Heights when you were like 6. You and your dad pulling up to my house and him saying “this is the most badass kid you’ll ever meet”…. He was right. I wouldn’t have the same outlook outlook on life as I do if it wasn’t for you. I’ll always cherish all the moments and memories I got to experience growing up with you and being around your amazing parents and grandma.

Rest in peace brother. I’ll miss you 💚

Drew‘s beaming personality and passion for life was so contagious…it radiated love and laughter from an absolutely beautiful soul. It was so inspiring to watch him chase his dreams and to witness the passion he had for the projects he took on and the goals he set. 
Cliff, Caty and I all feel truly blessed for having had him in our lives. It’s true that the hardest part of losing someone you care about is learning to live without them and we’re  thankful that we have so many fond memories of him to cherish! His spirit and his smile were gifts we will hold onto forever. 
The Johnston family

Drew touched the lives of many….will miss his beautiful smile ❤️

To my beloved cousin, Kris and her husband Tom, my heart and prayers are with you and I love you both very much. We have a beautiful angel in heaven. I love you Krissy!!

So many fun and happy memories with you. You always knew how to cheer me up if I was having a bad day and always brought a smile to the faces of those around you. Love you Drewy

So sorry...he's so lovely and so loved. xoxo

Drew was our beloved tennis pro, team coach, and  good friend at Valencia Bay.  Drew always had a smile and handled every occasion with class and humor.  I will always think of him fondly.

My earliest memory of Drew was at tennis, the image of little Drew on Tom’s shoulders has always been a core memory. From that time on he was always a constant in our lives, the little brother we never had. It was a joy to know him. I’ll miss his laugh and bedazzling smile. I’ll miss his kindness and sincerity. Drew was a devoted friend, and I’m grateful to have known such a wonderful human. He will be sorely missed. Love you always 🤍

OBITUARY

Drew Engel

March 13, 1996 – March 13, 2025

Aycock-Riverside Funeral and Cremation Center

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