Francis J. Drake

Francis Drake passed away peacefully on January 15, 2024 with his loving daughter by his side. He was born August 20, 1935 to Francis and Elizabeth Drake in Brooklyn, New York. Frank (aka "Sonny") was raised with his three siblings, Richard (deceased), Eileen (Cuff) and youngest brother Thomas.

Frank served in the US Air Force during the Korean War prior to marrying the love of his life, Ella (deceased). They raised their children, Mark and Elizabeth, in Plainview, Long Island. After Frank's career as a sales engineer in the elevator industry, they retired to Punta Gorda in 1991. They enjoyed their early retirement life at Emerald Point, then Seminole Lakes, while traveling extensively during their 55 year marriage. Frank was a devoted Church member and Confraternity teacher, a loyal volunteer at the Military Heritage Museum and was active in The Charlotte Players for numerous years. His genealogy research filled his spare time after he retired from his favorite hobby of piloting small planes over SW Florida.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Punta Gorda, FL on Thursday February 8, 2024 at 10am. A graveside service with Military Honors will take place at Sarasota National Cemetery, Sarasota FL, at 1:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, Frank requested that any donations be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Punta Gorda. How To Donate (svdppg.org)