Charles A. Drury

Charles “Chuck” Anthony Drury, 77, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and coach passed away unexpectedly due to injuries sustained in a car accident in Newburgh, NY on February 20th, 2024.

Son of the late Charles Francis Drury and Regina (Turner) Drury, and stepson of Joan (Burke) Drury, Chuck was born in Niagara Falls, NY.

He was married to his high school sweetheart Clare for 54 wonderful years. Chuck and Clare were proud members of the first graduating class at Northwest Catholic.

Family was everything to Chuck and he poured his heart and soul into them. He is survived by his four wonderful children, Chuck Drury and his partner Grace Steck of Kensington, Matt Drury and his wife Nicole of Ipswich, MA, Danielle Gohsler of Bristol, and Mike Drury and his wife Deann of Bristol. 

Chuck had nine grandchildren whom he adored. Mia Drury (25), Erin Drury (23), Sean Drury (21), Vanessa Drury (17), Jack Gohsler (15), Savannah Drury (14), Gracie Gohsler (12), George Drury (6), Murphy Drury (3) and Grace Steck’s children, Rachael (25), Ryan (25), and Sarah (22).

Chuck is survived by his two loving sisters Marcia DeCarli of Willington, and her sons Peter and Billy, and Laura Sykes and husband Randy of Simsbury, and their children Kelly and Randy. He also leaves his aunt, Dororthy Jordan (103) and her children from California, his Wholey cousins from West Hartford, and his Drury cousins from New Jersey.

He leaves behind his brother in-law George McGuinness and wife Elke of Herzogenaurach Germany, and their children Randy, Lore, Andrew, and Christine. 

He also leaves Ewa Drury, mother of Vanessa and Savannah, and John Gohsler, father of Jack and Grace.

Chuck grew up in West Hartford, and is a graduate of St. Thomas the Apostle, Northwest Catholic, and Southern Connecticut State University, where he played football for the Owls. He completed his graduate work at Springfield College and served his country for 14 years in the National Guard.

His first job after college was in Bristol where he taught physical education and coached football at Bristol Eastern and Bristol Central, until he accepted a new position at Pomperaug High School in 1976. He continued his coaching career at Pomperaug as the head football, wrestling, and girls track coach for many years. Chuck cherished his time at Pomperaug, loved his coworkers, mentored his student athletes and will forever be a part of the Pomperaug family. Go Big Red! Tradition doesn’t graduate.

He retired from Pomperaug and has been a member of his son Mike’s football staff at Southington High School for the past 13 years. Chuck immediately adopted the Blue Knights Football family. He loved arriving for lifting at 6:00 AM, greeting the players at the door, learning about them and their families, and developing them into young men. He mentored the younger coaches, encouraged their dreams, and helped build the family culture at Southington. Once a Blue Knight Always a Blue Knight, Ya Baby!

Most recently, Chuck was an assistant freshmen football coach at Bristol Central, coaching his grandson, Jack.

During the summers, Chuck and Clare loved going to Misquamicut and spending time at the cottage with the O’Briens and Larkins, fishing on the beach, and working Grill 2. 

He and Clare spent many wonderful weekends at The Hideout in PA and would spend the month of April in Bonita Springs, FL, visiting with their friends, and entertaining the constant flow of their children and grandchildren.

Chuck, Dad, Grampa, Coach will be missed beyond words and his impact on this world will live on in those lucky enough to have been a part of his life.  Keep the faith.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 19, 2024 at 11 AM at St. Gregory the Great Church, 235 Maltby St., Bristol.. Burial, with military honors, will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Bristol. Relatives and friends may call at Funk Funeral Home, 35 Bellevue Ave., Bristol, on Thursday, April 18, 2024 between 4 and 7 PM.

Memorial donations may be made to the Bristol Boys and Girls Club, 255 West St. Bristol, CT 06010.





 

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