Joseph Otto Drews “Uncle Joe”, 96, formerly of Holbrook Street, Milford, passed away Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at the Golden Hills Health Care, Milford. He was the husband of the late Winifred Malboeuf Drews for 59 years. Born in New Haven on November 9, 1916; son of the late Emil and Anna Weimann Drews. Mr. Drews was a resident of Devon all of his adult life; he retired from the UI Company where he was employed for 35 years and was known by fellow employees as the “Red Baron”. Joseph served his country proudly for eight years in the U.S. Navy enlisting in 1934 and served for four years, entered again in 1942 and went right out to sea, serving as Water Tender1/c on the Eaton Destroyer and later on the Gregory which was hit off Okinawa. Joseph was in the compartment that was hit and was hospitalized for seven weeks. Joseph received the Purple Heart, a Unit Citation, wears four battle stars, good conduct medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Ribbon and has been in nine invasions and four major battles. Joseph was a member of the Milford V.F.W.; the Tin Can Sailors; an accomplished artist; loved building old clipper ships from scratch and he also had his pilot’s license. God bless you Joe, Winnie is waiting for you, she’ll be sitting on a star, just past the rainbow, like she promised. Brother-in-law of Jean Busch, Katherine Kras, Lorraine Grasso, John and Paula Malboeuf, and the late Ed Busch and Dorothy Downing. He also leaves 21 nieces and nephews, and many great nieces & nephews. To his neighbors and friends he was always “Uncle Joe”. Predeceased by a brother Gene Drews.
His funeral procession will leave the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue, Monday morning at 10:30. Family and friends may call from 9:30 to 10:30 am. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in St. Therese Church, North Haven at 11:00. Interment with full military will follow in All Saints Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the V.F.W., 422 Naugatuck Ave.., Milford, CT. 06460.