Edward L. Drea

Edward L. “Ed” Drea, (82) beloved husband of Rose Marie (Donovan) Drea of Whitman and Mashpee, Massachusetts went home to God the afternoon of Holy Thursday, April 9, 2020 after a sudden and brief illness.

Ed was born and raised in Somerville, Massachusetts, the oldest son of Charles J. (Sr.) and Marguerite R. (Heise) Drea. His early education began at St. Joseph Parish School, Somerville and continued through secondary school at St. John’s High School, Cambridge. Ed went on to study accounting at Bentley College which would set him on a career path as an accountant and systems security specialist for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Office of the State Comptroller from which he retired in 1999.

He would serve his country, as most men of his era, as a member of Massachusetts National Guard Reserves.

Ed met his future and dear wife, Rose in the early 1960’s and they were married on April 4, 1964 at St. Joseph Church, Union Square, Somerville.  He ‘convinced’ Rose that the South Shore would be a wonderful place to begin their life together and raise their family based on his summer family time in the area over the years. Rose agreed and they purchased a plot of land in Whitman and built their first home there. They would go on to build two more homes in Whitman where they raised their four children and lived a very happy 56 years of married life.

Together, Ed and Rose worked hard to provide a wonderful home and life for their children handing on their Catholic faith through weekly church attendance and formal Catholic education from grade school through university for all of the children.  This took sacrifice to achieve, but it was important to them both.  And so, in addition to his work for the Commonwealth, Ed would take on additional accounting projects over the years and tax preparation during the tax season working from the family dining room table from January through April 15^th for many, many years. He was even preparing his own tax returns and those of his children right up to the time of his death.

Always thinking of ways to support and provide a very nice life for their family, Ed and Rose embarked on what would be a wonderful ‘partnership’ in residential home development – again, in addition to his full-time work.  Over the years, together they designed and oversaw the building of many homes on the South Shore and Cape Cod and it was an experience that they both excelled at in so many ways from not only the selection of the right pieces of property, but to the design and in many instances as well, rolling up their sleeves with a paint brush, broom or a rake.  They took pride in their work and the houses they built stand as a testament to their efforts.

Family has always been at the center of Ed’s life. Birthdays, Anniversaries, Christmas, Easter and countless family dinners were always a time to watch him revel with joy in his family. Family time on Cape Cod, including being the chauffeur on what would come to be known as the “Great Christmas Tree Shop Tours of Cape Cod”; vacations to Florida, Bermuda, Ireland and many recent family cruises during winter all brought him countless moments of happiness.

Together, Ed and Rose raised four children, welcomed a daughter-in-law and son-in-law and three wonderful grandsons, who are their joy: Reverend Michael E. Drea, National Chaplain for the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) of Milton; Kristine R. Drea of Whitman; Kevin M. Drea and his wife, Susan (Crecco) of Pembroke; and Kathleen K. (Drea) Sarnacchiaro and her husband, Anthony of Quincy.  Ed was the very proud and doting “Pa” of Timothy E. Drea and Brendan L. Drea of Pembroke and Anthony E. Sarnacchiaro of Quincy.  Ed is also survived by his dear brother, Charles J. Drea, Jr. and his wife Sandra of Norwell and his brother-in-law, James J. Donovan and his wife Irene of Dorchester.  In addition, he has numerous nieces and nephews and many friends cultivated over his almost 83 years.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Ed’s Memorial Mass which will be celebrated at St. Mary of the Nativity Church, 1 Kent Street, Scituate Harbor, Massachusetts on Saturday, October 17, 2020 at 11AM.

Ed’s family wishes to express their profound thanks for the countless prayers and consoling messages offered during the past several months. In lieu of flowers, Ed’s family requests that donations in his name be made to his favorite charities: Father Flanagan’s Boys Town www.support.boystown.org or Shriners Hospitals for Children www.donate.lovetotherescue.org.