Ronald Drew

Ronald R. “Doby” Drew age 76, of Erie, died Friday, January 22, 2016 at St. Vincent Health Center.

Ron was born in Erie, Pa. on August 21, 1939 a son of the late Milton A. and Edna Moultrie Drew.

He was a graduate of Strong Vincent High School and attended Wilberforce University in Ohio.

Ron served in the United States Coast Guard, with an honorable discharge, and worked at various occupations until his dream came true to become a police officer. Ron was hired as a patrolman for the city of Erie, along with nine other African American officers, and served on the Erie Police Department (EPD) for over twenty years. Ron retired from the EPD with the rank of Sergeant. Ron loved meeting people and no one was a stranger to him. Ron cherished his family above anything and was very proud of his heritage. Ron had a special place in his heart for his nieces and nephews and wanted the best for them and for them to have a better life, even though to them he was a no nonsense rough and tough take no stuff no sugarcoating it guy. Underneath Ron’s tough exterior however, was a man who cared for and would help just about anyone. Ron truly had a BIG heart full of Love, made of gold.

Ron was an avid sports fan and he enjoyed swimming, tennis, golf and baseball and was a big fan of the Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Indians. As a young man Ron enjoyed playing the game of baseball. Ron knew and met some of the baseball players who played in the Negro Baseball League, one of whom was Larry Doby from whom he got his nickname “Doby”.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three brothers; John M. Drew, DeVere G. Drew and Gerald Drew and two sisters; Helen R. Drew and Nancy F. Drew.

He leaves to cherish his memory, seven brothers and sisters; Marianne Chenault of Beaufort, SC, Asa P. Drew and his wife Diane of El Cerrito, CA, Jeanne E. Effinger also of Beaufort, SC, Sandra K. Williams and her husband Carl of Erie, PA., Barry T. Drew and his wife Marcia of Mechanicsburg, PA, Cynthia D. Drew and Valerie D. Brewer also both of Erie. Two sisters-in-law; Barbara L. Drew and Catherine E. Drew of Erie, PA. and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews and great-great nieces and nephews and a host of friends also remain.

Friends are invited to visit with the family at Burton Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. 602 West Tenth St. Erie, Pa. 16502 on Saturday from 11:00 am until the time of a memorial service there at 1:00 pm with the Reverend Mary Stewart officiating. A brief memorial service will be conducted by the Retired Police Officers Association at the start of the service at 1:00 pm.

Memorials may be made to the Parkinson’s Partners of Northwest Pa., PO Box 10547 Erie, Pa. 16514.