LeRoy J. Drake 96 of Ocala, FL passed away on Friday, December 30, 2022. Roy was born in Catskill, NY to Walter and Helena (Baker) Drake in 1926. His family moved to the Ithaca, NY area when he was a young boy. He met the love of his life, Barbara Jean Prouty in high school.
At the age of 17, he joined the US Navy and was assigned to the USS Franklin, an aircraft carrier, as a CV13 where he remained until the Franklin was badly damaged by a Japanese air attack; losing over 800 crew members.
Roy returned to Ithaca where he married Barbara Jean and they celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary this last May. They had two sons, David L. and Rickie J. whom both predeceased him. Roy is survived by his wife, Barbara, his daughter-in-law, Beverley (Rickie), and his grandson Charlie (Debby). He is also survived by two brothers Terry and Walter and two sisters, Jean Ann Selman and Leona Vann, in addition to many nieces and nephews.
Roy was a member of the Bricklayers and Allied Craft Workers Local 8 of Ithaca, NY for many years. He and Barbara built 12 homes in the Ithaca area before they retired to Florida. They were always together and had a great drive to keep busy.
Roy is sadly missed by all that knew him.