Drew, James Edward
4/14/44 -- 7/27/21
James Edward “Jim” Drew, 77, of Burlington, CT, beloved husband of Barbara Raffino Drew, passed away Tuesday, July 27, 2021. Jim was born in Hartford, grew up in Farmington, and was a long-time Burlington resident where he and his wife raised their family.
Jim is predeceased by his mother, Maxine Drew, and father David C. Drew, and two of his favorite people, mother-in-law and father-in-law Fannie and Paul Raffino. James is survived by Barbara Raffino Drew, whom he fondly referred to as “my woman”, “my angel,” and the “best person in my life.” He is also survived by his three children Lisa Drew, Stacy Drew Roberts and husband John Roberts, James D. Drew, and wife Sarah Drew, four grandchildren Danielle Adorno and husband Robert Adorno, Erica Panasiewicz, Olivia and Amanda Roberts, and two great grandchildren Oliver and Xavier Adorno. Jim attended Watkinson School in Hartford and in 1962, upon meeting his true love, Barbara, he transferred to Farmington High for his senior year where she was also a student. Jim went on to attend Tunxis College where he earned a degree in Business Management.
In 1965, Jim enlisted in the US Army and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry, 7th US Army, 2nd Recon, stationed in Berlin where he served from 1965 – 1967, followed by two years of active reserves. He was an expert rifleman and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Berlin), Expert Rifle Medal, and was honorably discharged. A man of many trade skills, he worked in carpentry, construction, air conditioning and refrigeration. He was the go-to-guy for family and friends and was always lending a hand. Jim worked as Facility Manager at Hamilton Standard branch of United Technologies in Farmington. Shortly after retiring, he worked at Manchester Motor Car Company where he assisted in the restoration of classic cars.
As an avid auto enthusiast, Jim took great pride in restoring his own 1941 Chevrolet Master Deluxe and found great joy in taking his sweetheart for weekend road trips. Among his favorite pastimes were golf, deep-sea fishing, family vacations at Hampton Beach, and yearly trips with his wife to Hershey, PA, to attend the annual antique car show, to name a few. As a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Jim participated in community outreach work (Special Olympics, and Bill Ryan Golf Tournament, at which he was known for his famous Chili).
To his friends and family, Jim was celebrated for his quick wit and a mastery to reminisce through humorous storytelling. His grandchildren loved that he gave the best “goody bags.” He was the patriarch of the
family; a leader and protector, and he was very well loved and respected. He leaves his family with countless memories and will be greatly missed.
The family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to the SPCA of Connecticut, Inc., 359 Spring Hill Rd, Monroe, CT, https://www.spcact.org and/or Little Guild of St Francis, 285 Sharon Goshen Turnpike, West Cornwall, CT. https://www.littleguild. org
Any online condolences can be shared at https://www. ahernfuneralhome.com