Charles Drake

Charles Drake, Jr.
March 13, 1935-April 13, 2023
Charles Drake, Jr., 88, lost his battle with Lewy Body dementia on April 13,
2023.
He was raised in Mineville, N.Y., the oldest of 4 siblings.
He graduated from Mineville High School and joined the Marine Corps in
1953. He served overseas in Japan during the Korean conflict and also at
Quantico, Virginia.
He was married to Phyllis (Wilson) Drake Perry and to Rita (Bigelow) Huestis
Drake, raising a total of 6 children.
Charlie worked for A&P, Grand Union (managing stores in both Schroon
Lake and Crown Point), Ralston Purina, and Disney World. He was quite an
entrepreneur; he also owned several businesses, including Drake’s Market in
Crown Point and the bottle redemption center in Ticonderoga.
He was the founding father and first commandant of the Essex County
Leathernecks Marine Corps League in 1990.
He and Rita eventually retired to Florida, after being snowbirds for many
years, where he became a legend at Disney Wide World of Sports.
Charlie loved sports, music, traveling, politics, community activities, and
socializing. He was a die hard Boston Red Sox fan, a member and
shareholder at Ticonderoga Country Club for years, a member of both Camp
Joy and the Winding Hill Sportsmen hunting clubs, a member and former
President of International Association Approved Basketball Officials
(IAABO), and other civic associations.
He was pre-deceased by both parents, Charles Drake, Sr. and Florence
(McConley) Drake (later Hanson), all his siblings; James (Claudette Gregory)
Drake, Sr., Marion (Bill) Ouellette and Raymond (Sandy) Drake, a
grandchild, Derek Gayton, and two sons-in-law.

He is survived by his wife of almost 46 years, Rita, 3 children and 3
stepchildren, Connie Smith (widow of Brad), Joyce Beauchamp (widow of
Scott), Gary (Laurie) Drake, Cindy (Bob) Childs, Paula (Jerry) Walden, Mike
(Beth) Huestis; 14 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and many special
nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at Saratoga
National Cemetery, arrival time 11:40 A.M.
Semper Fi, Marine