Kevin Drake

 
 
 
WILMOT, NH - Kevin Drake died unexpectedly at his home on December 22, 2023 at the age of 70 following a brief hospitalization.

Kevin was born on May 21, 1953 in Amityville, NY to Lawrence Drake Sr. and Theda (Temple) Drake.  

Kevin graduated from Livingston (NJ) High School in 1971.  After many summers as a camper and eventual caretaker at Camp Sunapee in New London, Kevin decided to make the New London area his home.    

A model of how to be a loving, supportive husband and father, Kevin was devoted to his family.  He married the love of his life, Carol O’Brien Drake, in 1978.  After raising two girls, he was overjoyed to welcome 3 grandsons into his family.  

While college was not the correct path for Kevin, his lack of a degree did not stop him from having a successful career as a Process Control Specialist with Yokogawa.  While the travel requirements of his job meant resigning his position as a Volunteer FireFighter, it did allow him to use his troubleshooting skills and mechanical expertise to provide a comfortable life for his family.  Whether it was a malfunctioning control system at a factory, or a household repair that needed to get done Kevin never met a problem he couldn’t solve through his analytical thinking and perseverance.  

Kevin traveled often with family including trips to Ireland and Italy, several National Parks, and yearly family vacations in Acadia National Park. He enjoyed a road trip and drove across the country several times visiting National Parks, family and friends, and obscure museums.  

Kevin is predeceased by his parents, Lawrence Drake Sr. and Theda (Temple) Drake of Boulder CO; and his beloved wife of 38 years, Carol O’Brien Drake of Wilmot, NH.

Kevin is survived by his daughters Larissa Ragazzo and her husband Robert of Dover, NH, and Ashley McCarthy and her husband Sean of Wells, ME; his grandsons Robby and Kevin Ragazzo of Dover, NH, and Dylan McCarthy of Wells, ME; his brothers Lawrence Drake Jr. and his wife Joan Jacobs of Portsmouth, NH, and Roger Drake and his wife Jennifer of Boulder, CO; his mother-in-law Catherine “Peg” O’Brien of Liverpool, NY; his sisters-in-law Mary-Kay O’Brien of Syracuse, NY, Laurie O’Brien Smith, of Clay, NY, and Teresa O’Brien of Liverpool, NY; as well as a nephew, nieces, and great-nephews and great-nieces.

Calling hours will be on Friday, January 5 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Chadwick Funeral Home, 235 Main Street, New London.  A celebration of life memorial will be held at The First Baptist Church in New London on Saturday, January 6 at 11:00 AM.  

All are welcome to attend and celebrate Kevin’s life.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Friends of Acadia at https://friendsofacadia.org.