Archer S. Drew, Jr. , a long time resident of Smithtown, NY, passed away Saturday, 1/15/2011 at the age of 81. Archer (Archie) grew up in St. Albans, Queens, and moved to South Ozone Park when he married. He and his wife, Thelma (Cooper) of Corona, Queens, subsequently lived in Springfield Gardens, for several years. He and his family moved to Smithtown, NY in the early 60’s.
Archer was an (Army) Air Force Veteran and experienced the trauma of the desegregation of the armed forces while in service. He later worked for the US Government and retired from the Federal Government, Dept of Defense, with 30 years of service, the recipient of several meritorious awards.
He was considered by some to be the bionic man having had both hips replaced as well as both knees replaced and a back disc fused. Still he managed to umpire( USSSA) a number of years, for Smithtown’s many softball leagues. Well regarded in this capacity, Archer was known as a knowledgeable and fair umpire – He would throw any one out of the game, if so warranted, including spectators.
As a sports lover, he was a participant as well as an observer, and an instructor. Whether it was racquetball, or volley ball, he was a champion. While president of the Smithtown Majors bowling league, he taught youth bowling sessions for the Town Recreation department, and participated in the parent and child leagues with each of his children. He played basketball and softball for St. Andrews Lutheran Church , in the Town Adult leagues and then coached and managed teams in both sports for the church.
An active member of St Andrews Lutheran Church , Archer served on the altar, and was also a head usher and a counter as well as President of the church’s Bowling League, and the Couples Club. He was a long time member of the Smithtown Senior’s Golf association, the one sport that he could not claim as a “champion” although he did have a hole-in –one and managed to win a number of tournaments with great prizes!
Archer was a delight to know and beloved by many. Endearingly called “crabby” by his oldest daughter, Joanne, the term caught on and others affectionately termed him the “old crab” or “grouchy” as some lovingly called him. His activities included membership in NAACP , and NARFE (National Association of Federal Employees), OIC (Opportunities Industrialization Commission, ),and a volunteer with SCMLK (Suffolk County Martin Luther King Commission .)
Pre-deceased by two daughters, baby Karin Elizabeth, and Joanne Michelle (Johnson), Archer is mourned by his wife of close to 60 years, Thelma, and sons- , Richard Michael/ spouse Maria Grace, Kenneth Edward /spouse Mary Ann, and daughters -Sheryln Liane/spouse Christopher Allen (McKittrick), Kimberly Terese/spouse Charles Timothy (Council).
In addition to his children , he also leaves his loving grandchildren- Felicia (William Patterson), Ariana (Ed Mowton), Tabitha Pearl (Johnson), Brittany Ann and Drew Archer (McKittrick), Erick Jamel and Jade Elizabeth Michelle (Council), and great- grandchildren, Quadarius, and Santina (Patterson) and a host of beloved in-laws, many family, and numerous friends.
Donations can be made to:
St. Andrew’s Building Fund
30 Brooksite Drive Smithtown, NY 11787
Or
American Heart Association
Long Island Region
125 East Bethpage Road
Plainview, NY 11803
Reposing at The Branch Funeral Home
190 East Main Street, Smithtown, NY 11787. Visiting Saturday & Sunday 2-4 PM & 7-9 PM
Funeral Mass Monday 10:00 AM at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church Smithtown, NY
Interment to follow at Calverton National Cemetery.
www.branchfh.com
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Monday, February 7, 2011 at 3:20PM 