Obituary of Dennis A. Drew

Dennis A. Drew, Jr., 88, of 1623 W. Third St., formerly of 4 Ridgley Terrace in Jamestown, died at 5:30 p.m. Friday, August 9, 2013, following a brief illness. He was born in Buffalo on April 21, 1925, the son of the late Dennis A. and Myrtle Schroeder Drew, Sr. Dennis served in the US Navy during World War II in the South Pacific on the submarine 'Rochambeau'. He earned his Bachelor's Degree at the University of Buffalo and after receiving his MBA, worked for International Harvester. An astute businessman, he purchased his own dealership, Verblaw Motor Truck Sales, in 1968 which he owned and operated until his retirement. Dennis was a faithful member of Holy Apostles Parish, Saints Peter & Paul Church since 1964, serving as a Eucharistic Minister. He was a past volunteer reader for the blind, belonged to the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club, and was a life member of the VFW. A baseball fan throughout his life, he had played high school baseball with Warren Spahn at South Park High School. As an avid runner, Dennis was a well recognized face seen running through the streets of Jamestown for many, many years. He is survived by three children: Mary Vesneske (Terry) of Grand Island, Dennis A. Drew, III (Kerry) of Jamestown, and Theresa Drew (Jeffrey Sendziak) of Buffalo; a sister, Joan Gross of Buffalo; nine grandchildren: Andrew Long (Amy) of Jacksonville, Fla., Sean Vesneske of Grand Island, Alex Vesneske of Wheatfield, Emily Drew and Dennis A. Drew IV, both of Jamestown, and Bridget, Maximilian, Samuel and Benjamin Sendziak, all of Buffalo; three great-grandchildren, Dylan, Chloe and Brianna Long; several nieces and nephews; and his close friend and longtime companion of over 20 years, Victoria Wilson. Dennis was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Melbrod Drew, whom he married December 27, 1947 and who died May 25, 1991; and two sisters, Marie Shanks and Carol Lang. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at Saints Peter & Paul Church. The Rev. Dennis W. Mende will be celebrant. Visitation will not be observed. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Apostles Parish, 508 Cherry St., Jamestown, NY 14701; or to the B and B Scholarship Fund, c/o the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, 418 Spring St., Jamestown, NY 14701.