Methuen, MA- Joseph M. Drelick, 88, died peacefully, Thursday, December 16, 2010 at the Merrimack Valley Hospice House in Haverhill, surrounded by his loved ones.
Born on August 2nd, 1922 in Haverhill, Joseph was the son of John and Mary (Gusciora) Drelick of Poland. After graduating High School, Joseph served his country during WWII in the US Navy as a US Navy Motor Machinist's Mate1st class, in the China-Burma area as a member of SACO - a secret cooperative effort between the U.S and China that insured the delivery of war materials and supplies to the Chinese defending against Japan. He drove over the Burma Road, which is 1100 miles long, to get supplies to the allies, something he and his family were very proud of.
Upon his return Joseph worked for General Tire in the Bolta Division, in Lawrence. Most recently, he worked as a custodian for the Methuen School System until his retirement, after working there for 19 years.
Joseph was very active in the community as a member of the Methuen Chapter #4027 Knights of Columbus, and a volunteer at the former Mt. Carmel Church in Methuen as an usher and alter server and a member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society. He enjoyed visiting Foxwoods, gardening and canning food and will always be remembered by many as “the man that walked up and down Pelham St.” in Methuen. The most important thing in his life was his family and he would do anything for them. Joseph will live on in all of their hearts forever, but will be sorely missed.
Joseph was the beloved husband of Rose T. (Lanouette), with whom he would have shared 58 years of marriage with in January, and will also be deeply missed by his 6 children, Mary Gaumond and her husband Wayne of Illinois, John Drelick and his wife Paula of Methuen, James Drelick of Hampton, NH, Allen Drelick and his wife Donna of Methuen, Diane Thompson and her husband Douglas of Hampstead, NH and Teresa Drelick of Methuen, his 7 grandchildren, Jessica, Lisa, John, Julie, Kayla, Christine, and Katie, and 3 great-grandchildren Ryan, Marissa and Owen Michael. The last of 11 siblings, Joseph is also survived by his brother-in-law Steven Gorski and his sister-in-law Helen Drelick as well as many nieces and nephews.
ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects on Monday December 20th from 3-7 p.m. at the Kenneth H. Pollard Funeral Home 233 Lawrence St., Methuen. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday morning December 21st at 9 a.m. at St. Monica’s Church in Methuen with burial to follow at Elmwood Cemetery also in Methuen. As an expression of sympathy, those who wish may make a donation in Joseph’s name to the Merrimack Valley Hospice House 360 North Ave., Haverhill, MA.