David Benjamin Drake Sr

1951 - 2023

David Benjamin Drake Sr., 71, passed away peacefully on May 23, 2023, in Brooklyn Park, MN, due to complications from Lewy Body Dementia. He was born August 21, 1951, in Ithaca, New York. David served the US Navy, from 1970- 1976 during the Vietnam War. After completing his military service, David worked as an electrical engineer for defense system contractors, dedicating 35 years of his career to Northrop Grumman before retiring in February 2020 for health reasons. David is preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Helen Drake of Newfield, NY; second wife, Lucille Drake; stepson, Joseph Chiaro, and stepdaughter, Jill Mobley. David is survived by his sister, Sharon Duncan (Donald) of Millerton, NY; ex-wife, Patricia Drake of Louisville, TN; daughter, Christine Ernst (John) of Brooklyn Park, MN, son, David Drake Jr. (Connie) of Durham, NC, son, Daniel Drake (Jessica) of Maryville, TN, son, Scott Drake (Brenda) of Tampa, FL; and stepdaughter, Amy Chiaro ( Chantel) of Denver, CO; nephew, Bruce Duncan (Wendy), nephew, Alexander Duncan ( Betsy Trotta), nephew, Steven Duncan (Kim). Additionally, he is survived by eleven grandchildren and stepgrandchildren, three great-nephews, and four great-nieces. David received a diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) in February 2020. LBD is difficult to identify, the exact cause is still unknown and unfortunately, has no known cure. Consistent with his wishes, as part of supporting LBD research, David's brain was donated to the Mayo Clinic, in Jacksonville, through the Brain Support Network. A graveside memorial is planned for Saturday, August 19th, 2023, 2:00 pm, Woodlawn Cemetery, Newfield, NY. In lieu of flowers, the family requests charitable contributions in memory of David Drake be made to Brain Support Network, PO Box 7264, Menlo Park, CA 94026, www.brainsupportnetwork.org.