Lewis Eugene "Gene" Drake

Lewis Eugene "Gene" Drake-one of the kindest, gentlest and most compassionate men ever born-left our world on Friday, May 20, 2011, following a courageous bout with cancer. He passed as he had hoped, quickly and "with his boots on," walking along a path on the hillside farm on which he'd lived and worked his entire life. He is now dancing in heaven with his beloved wife, Ann Rogers Drake, who preceded him in death in 2007.

Gene was born April 28, 1944, in Santa Cruz, California. His father, Paul Emerson Drake, an Ohio native, and his mother, Margaret J. Drake of Montana, moved to Santa Cruz in the 1930s. In 1942 they purchased land in the Aptos hills, where they built a home and began to farm while continuing the Drake & Drake contracting business, established by Gene's grandfather in Santa Cruz in the early 1920s.

Gene's love of machinery-making it, designing, it, working on it-was instilled in him by his father and brother and was his paramount interest throughout his life. He continued the Drake & Drake business, working in his own on-site machine shop for a lifetime. He spent countless hours [often with his brother Daren, the other half of "The Heavy Metal Brother' team] crafting all types of custom parts for various clients, including the Santa Cruz Harbor and Roaring Camp Railroad [Gene loved steam and its engines]. He also loved to grow all types of organic crops, from avocados and kiwifruit to asparagus and beets. He was an active member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Capitola and a strong supporter of children's education programs and local, home-grown business enterprises.

Gene is survived by his brother Daren Drake of Aptos; sister Arlin Bischel of Tempe, Arizona; nieces and nephews Diane Bischel, Retired USAF Lt. Colonel Leolyn Bischel, Justin Bischel, Kevin Bischel and their respective families; cousins Lorraine Adamson, Janet Hanley, and Judy Fox; his godson, Mitchel McLean of Aiea, Hawaii; wife Ann's seven children and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and his precious kittycat, Pearl.

Gene is sorely missed, but his sweet nature, broad smile, generosity and support will be remembered forever.