HENRY J. DREW JR. - BRICK - Henry J. Drew, Jr., 65, of Brick, passed away at his home on Saturday, March 17, 2012, surrounded by the love of his family. He put up a courageous fight against pancreatic cancer for several months, and always maintained a positive attitude.

Henry was born in Jersey City, raised in the Greenville section, and graduated from Dickinson High School. He then served in the Army National Guard.  He then worked at the American Stock Exchange for several years, before joining the Port Authority Police Department in 1971. 

He was promoted to Sergeant in 1986 and served at Newark Airport, the Bus Terminal, Port Newark, and the Staten Island Bridges, before retiring in 1995.  He was a member of the F.O.P.  He moved to Brick in 1977, was active in the Special Olympics for several years, and had been an Assistant Leader in the Brick Boy Scouts, and a coach in the Brick American Little League.

Henry was a person who always enjoyed making his family and friends laugh. He will always be remembered for his generosity and kindness, and for putting the needs of others before his own.  He missed his beloved Lhasa Apso, AJ, who recently passed away.  Henry was predeceased by his parents, Henry J. Drew and Agnes (Kane) Sr.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years, Rosemary (Garafola), his daughter, Jennifer Drew, and his sons and daughters-in-law, Henry and Jennifer Drew, and Michael and Heather Drew, all of Brick.  He is also survived by his grandchildren, Kasey, Hannah and Kate, his brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert and JoAnne Drew, of Mississippi, and Thomas and Janet Drew, of Middletown, his nephews, Tommy, Todd, Tim and Phillip Drew, his brother-in-law, Neil Garafola, and other relatives and friends.

Visitation will take place at O'Brien Funeral Home, 505 Burnt Tavern Road, Brick, on Tuesday, March 20, 2012, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Dominic's Church, Brick, on Wednesday, March 21, 2012, at 9:00 AM., followed by interment at St. Anne's Cemetery, Wall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Henry's memory to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.   For further information or to send condolences to the family, please visit www.obrienfuneralhome.com.  O'Brien Funeral Home 505 Burnt Tavern Road Brick, NJ 08724 (732) 899-8600

Published in The Jersey Journal on March 19, 2012