Michael David Drew

Michael David Drew, a longtime resident of Central Florida and Metro Denver Colorado, died June 27, 2022. Michael was born in Dover, NJ on January 1, 1958, one of five children of Frederick Charles Drew (d.2007) and Marie Louise Sheridan Drew (d.2016). Michael’s love of family is where he found his greatest joy. When he was a young parent to his oldest daughter, Michael met the love of his life Angela (whom he referred to as his Angel). Together, they poured their love into their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Michael’s early years were full of the important stuff: building forts, camping out, swimming in Lake Gertrude, and other shenanigans and mischief with his beloved siblings. Michael felt a deep connection to the natural world, and he relished hiking in the Rocky Mountains and camping with his family. Michael’s love for music began when his Grandfather converted the carport into a fantastic room complete with wooden guitars, allowing three rambunctious boys to perform incredible “air” guitar performances. This sparked Michael’s lifelong dedication to music. A self-taught guitar player, Mike would command the room with his soulful, heartfelt songs, whether in a living room, the neighborhood pub, or the Lakeland Civic Center. At family gatherings, everyone looked forward to seeing Mike lead a singalong to James Taylor, Neil Young, and The Who. Michael passed his love of music and the arts along to his children, influencing the next generation of singers, songwriters and performing artists. Mike exuded charisma and was always ready to engage with the world with his warm welcoming smile, hearty laugh, generous spirit, a two armed hug, and that irresistible twinkle in his eyes. He was a master of puns who could make anyone laugh with his clever and witty jokes. In his professional life, Mike played an essential role in the success of The CE SHOP. It was a perfect match for Mike’s legendary people skills, and his love for philanthropy. During Michaels time at The CE SHOP, not only did he act as a peer leader and student advocate, but also as the most passionate supporter of THE CE SHOP FOUNDATION. Every donation fills a backpack with food that feeds a family of four in need for a full weekend. Michael focused himself on this worthy cause with as much vigor and poise as he approached every single aspect of his life. The effort, diligence, and heart that Michael placed on the Foundation cannot be more loudly shared or celebrated. Michael’s impact on this charity in a period of just over three years raised OVER $16,500, which helped to feed more than 15,000 people. For family and friends who had the privilege to know Mike, they understand that he left us much too soon. Despite his health challenges, Mike exuded positivity, lived fully present, and always took a large bite from the apple of life. Mike was cherished by his loved ones and will be dearly missed by his wife of 36 years, Angela Drew, his children Shona Drew (Michael Norwood), Hillary Drew (Douglas Whalen), Forrest Drew, and Aaron Drew (Elora Morrissette); his four surviving siblings Fred Drew, Jr. (Amy Drew), Leo Drew (Elizabeth Zarn Drew), Karen Haire (Rick Kotulak), and Elizabeth Drew Scholl (Michael Scholl); his grandchildren Zachary Halladay (Laura Barjarow), Hallie Whalen, Oliver Drew, Kairi Drew, great grandchildren Riley Halladay and River Halladay, his mother-in-law, Joanne Drew, and his many nieces, nephews, cousins, and canine companions, Millie and Red, who loved him so. Services will be held at Harden-Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis, FL on Tuesday, July 5, at 1:00 PM. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Eustis. Arrangements by Harden-Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis, FL. Memorial donations may be made to: The CE Shop Foundation: https://www.theceshop.com/foundation Just $5 is enough to feed a family of four for the weekend. In six years, The CE Shop Foundation increased its impact tenfold, going from feeding 4,370 families of four in 2014 to feeding 93,142 families of four in 2021. Online Guestbook available at www.hardenpauli.com . Arrangements by Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis.