Family, friends remember the life of John Drury

Perhaps he will be remembered for most were his contributions to the community and to his friends. Multiple times, his friends said he would go out of his way to help someone out without fail, with everything from a leaky roof to donating money.

While family and friends in Chester County gather together to celebrate the season of giving, one family will be without one man who gave so much throughout his life, despite having little to give when he came into it.

John A. Drury, 69, of West Chester, went from rough beginnings in New York City with nothing except his two brothers, to becoming a wellrespected man in Chester County’s community

with a loving family.

“He came from nothing. Nothing!” Drury’s daughter, Natalie Howell said. “He took the world by storm. He’s larger than life.”

John and his older brother moved from foster family to foster family for several years before their aunt and uncle in Chester County took them in.

When they did, John began attending Bishop Shanahan High School, from where he would graduate in 1965 and marry his high school sweetheart Linda Kathryn Cunius, one year later.

At the time, the Vietnam War was well underway. Howell said when he got back from his honeymoon at Niagara Falls, one of the first pieces of mail he opened were his draft orders, requiring he give his services to the U.S. Army as an airplane engine mechanic.

“He never felt sorry for himself,” Howell said. “He was proud to have served.”

After serving two years in the military, he worked for his father-in-law as a roofer for a few years before starting his own commercial roofing business around 1980.

“He was humble to a fault,” said Mike O’Roarke, a steel contractor, West Chester man, and longtime friend of John. O’Roarke said he met him sometime in the late 70’s or early 80’s, and estimated that he did millions of dollars worth of business with him without a contract.

“Only a handshake,” he said, referencing his business dealings with John. “His word was his bond.”

Another friend of John’s, Brian Forcine, a concrete contractor from Malvern, spoke highly of John as well.

“I always had a good relationship with him,” he said. “He’s a pleasure to work with.”

When asked what his favorite memory of him was, Forcine said “I have a million of ’em.”

And another friend, Magisterial District Judge Mark A. Bruno, said “John was a genuine human being, salt of the earth. There is a reason baseball gloves are not worn on both hands. John Drury was always throwing something back to someone in need. He will be missed by many, but never forgotten.”

After John worked on his business for a few years, he took on what would be his final occupation, a real estate developer. Howell said his two most significant developments was the Green Hill corporate park on McDermott Drive, and the Ice Line development on Lawrence Drive.

But what perhaps he will be remembered for most were his contributions to the community and to his friends. Multiple times, his friends said he would go out of his way to help someone out without fail, with everything from a leaky roof to donating money.

“He didn’t ask,” Forcine said. “He just did.”

Throughout his life, he acquired a wide variety of handyman skills he used to help others, and when he was not giving others help with his hands as a craftsmen, he gave them his company.

Forcine spoke at length about fishing trips they would all take down in the Bahamas at least once a year.

When it came to donating money he always stayed anonymous, Howell said. And when he started falling ill he did not tell anyone.

“He wanted to put things together for my brother and I,” Howell said. “And go when it was time. He didn’t want anyone to worry.”

And at his home in West Chester on Saturday, Dec. 17. John went.

“I’m so proud to be his daughter,” Howell said. “He was an amazing man.”

Relatives and friends are invited to his visitation on Dec. 27 from 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. at St. Agnes Church, 233 West Gay Street, West Chester. His funeral mass will take place at 11:00 a.m.

Instead of flowers, contributions are asked to be made to Catholic Social Services and the wounded warrior project.

To contact Daily Local News staff writer Adam Farence, email afarence@dailylocal.com, or call 610235-2647.

“He came from nothing. Nothing! He took the world by storm. He’s larger than life.” — Natalie Howell, Drury’s daughter “John was a genuine human being, salt of the earth. There is a reason baseball gloves are not worn on both hands. John Drury was always throwing something back to someone in need. He will be missed by many, but never forgotten.” — Magisterial District Judge Mark A. Bruno

John A. Drury