Roger Brian Drane, 82, of Tewksbury, Massachusetts and Naples, Florida, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, October 7, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Judith A. (Christianson) Drane, with whom he would have celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on October 12, 2024.
Born in Lowell on June 12, 1942, he was the son of the late Roger Alphonso Drane and the late Margaret (Sullivan) Drane and was the eldest of their six children. Roger was raised in the Highlands area of Lowell and when Roger was young, his family moved to Macon, Georgia for a short time. He had many fond memories and stories of his life in Georgia that he loved to share with his family and friends. After returning to Lowell, Roger graduated from Lowell High School.
Roger was employed by the Raytheon Corporation at their facilities in Lowell and West Andover for over 40 years until his retirement. Roger was proud to be a part of the Raytheon community and of the many friends he made during his career there.
Roger and Judy loved spending winters at their home in Naples, Florida with family and friends. In his life, Roger enjoyed fishing, golfing and traveling with Judy. He developed a passion for photographing their adventures together, but most of all, Roger loved taking pictures of his family. Roger cherished his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and seeing their faces brought Papa tremendous joy.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Deanna Walsh and her husband Mark, of Tewksbury, Kelley Fleming and her husband Michael, of Andover, and Jennifer Marcella and her husband James, of Amherst, NH: six grandchildren, Kelsey Polcari and her husband Joseph, Colin Walsh and his wife Krystin, Jordan and Brooke Fleming, and William and Benjamin Marcella, and: two great grandchildren Colton Polcari and Hallie Walsh: two brothers, Mark Drane and his wife Linda, of Nashua, NH, retired C.M. Sgt. Gary Drane and his wife Kayoko, of Alexandria, VA: three sisters, Margo Corcoran and her husband Michael, of Dracut, Leslie Foye and her husband John, of Lowell, and Donna Yetton and her husband Lester, of Andover: his sister-in-law Paula Grady and her husband Jack, of Billerica, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Family and friends will be received on Sunday, October 13, from 4-7 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee Street, Tewksbury. His funeral procession will begin on Monday, October 14, at 9 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by his Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St., Route 38, Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, donations in Roger’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, www.lbda.org 912 Killian Hill Road, S.W. Lilburn, GA 30047.