Obituary of Patrick Joseph Drury

Patrick Joseph Drury, 89, passed away peacefully Sunday July 17, 2022, at Morristown Memorial Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

Patrick was born on July 3, 1933, to Sarah and Michael Drury. He grew up in Newark and graduated from West Side High School before joining the US Navy in 1951. He proudly served for two years in the Korean War from 1951 to 1953.

Patrick was the youngest of six siblings who always had a witty remark and could light up and bring laughter to any room he entered. He loved spending time with his brothers and sisters and cherished his beloved parents.

Patrick met his sweetheart Helen Marie Drury in 1957. They were married in May of 1960 and moved to Bloomfield. There they raised five children before moving to Randolph in the winter of 1977.

Patrick was as an Ironworker out of local #11 for 37 years before retiring at the age of 57. After retirement, he enjoyed spending days swimming at the local YMCA and taking morning walks through Brundage Park.

Patrick and Helen were founding members of Resurrection Parish. They enjoyed meeting new members and forming lasting friendships throughout the years.

Patrick designed and built our current house in Randolph and provided a loving home for his wife and family. He enjoyed time outside gardening, beautifying his home, and spending treasured time with his family and friends. Patrick was a perfect “family man” and embraced the true meaning of being a husband, father, and grandfather through his countless actions and words of kindness and inspiration. 

Patrick loved having breakfast with his family at a local diner and attending activities as a proud Pop-Pop for his seven grandchildren. He was an avid fan of professional boxing and spent many Saturday nights watching the fights. Most of all Patrick loved to make people laugh and smile through his amazing sense of humor.

Patrick is predeceased by his parents Sarah Drury (Reilly) and Michael Drury, his mother and father-in-law Catherine and Charles Van Riper, his siblings, Charles and wife Marilyn, Peggy and husband Bill, Mary and husband Joe, John and wife Mary, Sarah (Sis) and husband Don, and brother in laws Charles and Robert VanRiper.

Patrick is survived by his beloved wife Helen Marie Drury, his loving children, Beth and husband Drew Thraen, Kathleen , Patrick and wife Carol Drury, Diane and husband Ronald Storz, Nancy and husband Michael Rickley, brother in law, Jack Van Riper, sister in law Elisa Van Riper, grandchildren, Allison, Michael, Jack, Katie, Heather, Daniel, and Jack, daughter of a very close longtime friend, Amy Hendricks, and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A visitation will take place on Thursday, July 21, 2022, from 3:00pm - 7:00pm at Tuttle Funeral Home 272 Highway 10, Randolph (tuttlefh.com). A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 am, Friday, July 22, 2022, at Resurrection Parish in Randolph. Interment is private.