Dennis J. "Denny" Draves

Dennis J. “Denny” Draves, 86 years of Honey Brook, formerly of East Earl, died into the loving arms of Jesus and Mary on Saturday July 10, 2021 at Tel Hai Retirement Community, following an illness.

He was born on Sunday, March 3, 1935 in Philadelphia.  Denny was the son of the late Samuel and Margaret (McCarthy) Draves.  He was the husband of Trudy Draves, with whom he shared 54 years of marriage. 

Denny was a mechanical engineer for 30 years.  He was a member of St Peter Catholic Church in West Brandywine.   Denny loved to fish and spend time with his family. Denny loved his family and devoted his entire life to caring for and being the best husband and father ever.

He began working in his father’s machine shop at the age of 13 and continued in the profession as a mechanical engineer until his retirement in 2001.  Denny helped design and manufacture critical airplane parts for sidewinder missiles for Boeing and Pratt and Whitney.

Denny was in the US Army for 5 years as a Master Sergeant and was stationed in Bremerhaven, Germany.  While there he was a machine shop manager repairing army vehicles.

Fishing was his passion along with camping, bowling, and traveling and spending quality time with his wife of 54 years.  He truly enjoyed pulling his travel trailer and motorhome up and down the East Coast, especially to Florida to visit family members.

He was preceded in death by, his first wife, Jane E. (Burnett) Draves, a brother and three sisters.

Denny is survived by two sons, Michael (the late Collette) Draves of Broomall and Daniel (Maria) Draves of Clifton Heights, four daughters, Susan (Mark) Carroll of Chester Heights, Colleen (Tom) Hunt of Glen Mills, Sallie (Ed) McLaughlin of Southport, NC and Jane (Bob) Keeper of Bear, DE and a sister-in-law, Bonnie McGillin. There are 15 grandchildren. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 16, 2021 at 11 AM from St. Peter Catholic Church, 2835 Manor Road, West Brandywine, Pa.    Interment will follow at the All-Souls Cemetery.  A calling hour will be held from 9:30 to 10:45 AM at the church.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in the memory of Denny to either the Tel Hai Care Assurance Fund or the Tel Hai Good Samaritan Fund, PO Box 190, Honey Brook, Pa.  19344-0190.

Arrangement by The Labs Funeral Home, Inc. of Honey Brook, Pa. 

For additional information and online condolences, please visit www.thelabsfh.com

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To the Draves Family My sincerest condolences on the passing of you dad. He was such a nice man. Oh how thinking of you all brought back so many good and fun memories. I have been thinking of you all for so long. I would love to speak to you again. Especially you Susan. We were like sisters growing up. Please give me a call or IM me. Again my heart felt condolences to all of you. Love Pam

~ Pamela J Valentine springfield, PA
8/24/2021 9:00:09 PM

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