Keith Drew, 63, of Brunswick, Maine passed away peacefully
from complications of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) while surrounded by his
loving family on Feb. 6, 2020 at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston.
Keith fought his illness for two years with courage and grit, even in the face
of extreme adversity. From the time of his diagnosis through his final breath,
he truly lived by the motto adopted by the head coach of his beloved New
England Patriots of "No Days Off”.
Keith was born in Bangor, Maine on August 23, 1956. He
graduated from Brewer High School in 1975 where he starred on the football
field. Upon graduation, he went on to further his education at Eastern Maine
Vocational Technical Institute, earning his Associates degree in Culinary Arts.
From there, Keith moved north to Caribou and began to build his own insurance
agency working for Prudential Insurance Company. He stayed with Prudential for
over 20 years before making the move to Allstate Insurance Company in 2003,
becoming an Exclusive Agent with the company and starting Keith Drew
Enterprises. Over the course of his 17 year career with Allstate he
successfully owned offices in Presque Isle, Rockland, and Camden.
Keith loved sports, particularly the New England Patriots.
To sit with him on game day was like sitting with a member of the organization.
His knowledge, analysis, and passion for his team was something to behold and
unrivaled by anyone. He passionately followed the Red Sox, Celtics, and Bruins
as well. Keith also loved attending local sporting events and diligently
followed the high school sports scene in Maine, which is how he eventually met
his wife Carol. He enthusiastically supported his daughter throughout her high
school and college soccer career and he was undoubtedly her biggest fan. He
always beamed with pride when talking about her athletic accomplishments. He
cheered on his step-daughter Ashley throughout all of her athletic endeavors,
from the soccer field to the tennis courts. Over the past several winters he
could be found in the stands proudly sporting the Purple & Gold of Cheverus
High School in support of his step-son Ryan who currently coaches the boys
basketball team. Most recently, he enjoyed being able to attend his grandkids
sporting events as well.
Over the past eleven years Keith enjoyed his new home in the
beautiful midcoast region of Maine. It offered him everything in life that he
appreciated the most. Together with Carol, they enjoyed biking, walking the
beach, and exploring the many tiny islands along the coast. Whether it was
Boothbay Harbor, Camden-Rockport, or Bar Harbor Keith was always at peace near
the water. He was most fond of spending time on warm summer days with his
grandkids at Popham Beach in Phippsburg. During nine of those eleven years Keith
became known as Papa or "Pup Pup”, as he was lovingly called, to his five
grandchildren. Keith’s grandchildren
brought an incredible amount of love and joy to his life.
Keith is survived by his loving wife and valiant and
faithful caregiver, Carol Soucie-Drew, of Brunswick; his daughter Leah Harvey
and her husband Craig Harvey of Bowdoin; his son Adam of Augusta; his step-son
Ryan Soucie and wife Lonnie Soucie of Brunswick; his step-daughter Ashley Tucci
and husband Dave Tucci of Cumberland; his five grandchildren who were the light
of his life Lucia, Landon, Riley, Caden, and Kyler; his father, Perry Drew of
Brewer, Maine; his brother Tom Drew and his wife Joy of Scarborough, Maine; his
sister Calla Burgess and her husband David of Kittery, Maine; his nephew Justin
Drew and his wife Katie of Washington, D.C.; his cousins, Dale and Dianne; his
father and mother-in-law, Ralph and Gwendolyn Ferguson of Caribou; his
sister-in-laws, Connie Collins and her husband Thomas of South Grafton, Mass.
and Kim Taggett and her husband Glenn of Caribou, Maine; a niece and nephews
and many special friends and colleagues.
He is predeceased by
his beloved mother, Pauline Drew, and his niece, Ashley Drew, who undoubtedly
greeted him with open arms at the Gates of Heaven.
There will be a Celebration of Life at the Brunswick United
Methodist Church on Friday February 28, 2020 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers,
gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Keith Drew to
support cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O.
Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via www.jimmyfund.org/gift.
Arrangements are by Stetson’s Funeral Home 12 Federal St.
Brunswick where memorial condolences may be expressed at
stetsonsfuneralhome.com