Michael Drexler

Michael Francis Drexler, a devoted social worker, lifelong musician, and seeker of truth across many spiritual paths, entered this world on September 16, 1945, in Paterson, New Jersey. Michael passed peacefully in Plainsboro, New Jersey, land first stewarded by the Unami people, a subtribe of the Lenni-Lenape on August 16, 2025, one month before his 80th birthday. Michael greeted death as a friend after a thirty-year battle with Parkinson's disease with the loving care provided by his Merwick Care Center family and Penn Medicine Princeton Hospice.

Michael was predeceased by his parents, Theresa Rosalie Keller and Joseph John Drexler; siblings Charles, Robert (and his wife Claire), twin sister Mary (and her husband Charles McHugh); his firstborn, Jonathan Michael Drexler; and spiritual mentor and friend Ravi Dutta.

He is survived by Paula Vasquez, his first wife and mother of his sons; Hans Peter Lakosky Drexler, daughter-in-law Autumn, and grandsons Dresden and Soren; Daughter-in-law Michelle, and grandchildren Jonny and Ruby; Janet Campbell, his second wife and mother of his daughter; Amelia Rose Vastola, son-in-law Peter, and grandsons Giovanni, Angelo, and their nephew Anthony; Michaeliene Drexler, sister-in-law and surviving spouse of Charles Drexler; beloved nieces, nephews, and their families; life and contra dance partner Valerie LaBelle and family; and a beloved circle of friends and fellow travelers.

Michael earned a Bachelor of Arts in Romance Languages from Immaculate Conception Seminary in association with Seton Hall University (South Orange, NJ, 1967), followed by a Master of Social Work degree from Fordham University (New York City, 1974).

Michael served as a social worker for over four decades, with a calling and concentration for Youth & Family Services, Developmental Disabilities & Advocacy, Addiction Recovery & Behavioral Health, Private Practice & Counseling. Notably, he was on the Governor's Task Force on Services for Disabled Persons (1986), began his career with the Division of Youth and Family Services (Paterson, NJ 1969-1974), served the longest as a social worker for the State of New Jersey's Juvenile Justice Commission (1993-2002), in which he served as the Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Coordinator for one year, and Wellspring Associates during which he proudly attained his LCSW (Allentown, PA & Frenchtown, NJ 1994-2005). Michael ultimately retired in 2011, following several years of private practice and counseling.

Michael will be remembered as a deeply complex and multifaceted person-equal parts playful, principled, and spiritually searching. His goofy sense of humor was just as strong as his contemplative nature and kindness. As a friend of Bill W. for 37 years, he found profound connection and belonging within the Alcoholics Anonymous community, where he was supported and uplifted by shared experience and fellowship. He also drew strength and insight from Native American, Hindu, Buddhist, and other Eastern practices, all while embraced by the inclusive spirit of the Unitarian Universalist community.

He held leadership roles as President of both Washington Crossing Unitarian Universalist Church and First Unitarian Universalist Church of Hunterdon County. His lifelong love of music found expression in the music ministry and choir, a passion that began in childhood and continued throughout his life. His spiritual life was never static-it was a restless, evolving journey marked by curiosity, cultural humility, and deep yearning.

A lifelong musician and artist, Michael served as President of the Bucks County Folk Song Society and performed guitar and vocals with Los Gringos, celebrating the music of Central and South America, and with the Winter Hill Folk Group. He found joy and meaning in the Philadelphia Folk Festival, Bread and Puppet Theater, and the Clearwater Hudson River Revival, drawn to the voices of Pete Seeger, Raffi, Arlo Guthrie, Bob Dylan, and John Denver -artists who blended activism with art. Michael also had a rich appreciation for opera, classical music, classical Indian music such as that by Ravi Shankar, and spiritual chanting from Native American, Hindu, Buddhist, and Catholic traditions.

Michael's passions were wide-ranging: he was a gardener, expert of flora and fauna, especially birds, contra dancer, motorcycle enthusiast, and keeper of Drexler family traditions-camping, hiking, canoeing, and singing around the camp fire. He encouraged the creative pursuits of others, cherishing every card, drawing, and work of art from his loved ones. A devoted reader and supporter of public media, he could often be found with National Geographic or the local paper in hand, always curious, always questioning.

Michael will be remembered in as many ways as there are stars in the sky-some bright, some shadowed, all part of the constellation of a life lived with intensity, contradiction, and heart.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Michael's memory to:

Penn Medicine Hospice, Princeton Health

Unitarian Universalist congregations of: Washington Crossing (UUCWC), First Unitarian Universalist of Hunterdon County, and Unitarian Universalist Church of Haverhill

The American Civil Liberties Union

NPR & PBS

Arrangements are under the respectful care and direction of Funeral Director: Christine Cuoco of Ruby Memorial. Loved ones are invited to honor Michael's life by spending time in nature-whether at a local preserve, park, or on a hike-helping his memory live on in the beauty of nature, friendship, and care for the land. Please consider pausing to think of him, share stories of times together, pray, or sing. We ask that photographs of these celebrations be shared on his memorial site: www.rubymemorialhome.com

On September 16th, his birthday, loved ones are encouraged to light a candle or incense at dawn, mirroring the morning of August 16th when the sun gleamed from a patch of pink clouds and mourning doves paused their song, all while Michael was taking his last breaths.

A private riverside ritual will be held in the spring.

"Open mine eyes, that I may see

Glimpses of truth, thou hast for me

Open mine eyes, illumine me

Spirit Divine

Love of my life, I am crying

I am not dying, I am dancing

Dancing along in the madness, there is no sadness

Only a song of the soul"

- Cris Williamson