John F. Drexel Jr.

John was born in Yonkers, NY, March 22, 1932, to John Drexel Sr and Sophie (Zygarlowski). He grew up in Yonkers with a multitude of old friends. He went to Sacred Heart School and Saunders Trade school. During the Korean Conflict, John and 30 of his friends joined the Navy to stay out of being sent to Korea. But 6 months later, John's wildcard wound him up in Won Son Harbor, Korea. To get there, he went through the Panama Canal, hitting Hawaii mid-way, the Philippians, and Japan, and then off to Korea. He spent 4 months in Korea, then went to Shag Hi, Singapore and Hong Kong, and all of the other Eastern cities. Through the Suez Canal he then went on to the Mediterranean for 2 months, bouncing from country to country. Once done there, he sailed back to the US where he was for 2-3 months, then shipped back out to the Mediterranean. He was there for 3-4 months, then sailed to Africa. From there he was sent back to the US. He saw the Statue of liberty for the first time on the trip, even though growing up he only lived 8 miles away from it. He was discharged from the Navy on Jan. 13, 1956. At that time, he rested for 3 months then went looking for a job, which he found at Phillips Dodge Cooper Cable Corp. in Yonkers, NY, where he worked for 43 years. In May 1956, John married Sophia Machdo, in Yonkers, NY. They spent their honeymoon in Grand Lake Stream, ME, that is how they found Maine. They had a daughter born Jan. 17, 1958, DeeDee Drexel. They came back to Grand Lake Stream for the next 30 plus years for vacations. They finally purchased a house in Princeton. In the interim while working for the Cable Company, John obtained his real estate license in NY, and he also became a hairstylist making shinangos.

John and Sophia lost their daughter on May 27, 2011, in Bangor, ME. Sophia passed on Aug. 28, 2016 in Calais, ME. Right now, John has maybe 4-5 good friends left in NY that he grew up with, he has a brother-in-law out in Roseville, Calf, Sophia’s half-brother, Joseph Rodriquez. You were a wonderful brother to Sophia, a great uncle to DeeDee and a special friend to me. Thank You. His NY friends consist of Marge, Maria and Rosiero, Rosa and Joe Delilo, “Goodbye old friends.” Here in Maine his close friends are Terry and Ken Moffit, Becky & Bernie Hussey, Dawn Merchant, and his very, very special friends Paul and Cindy Comeau (Paul, remember, throw that first fish back, you’ll catch a lot more!)

In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution to Shriners Hospital, St. Jude Children Research Hospital or ASPCA. Arrangements by Mays Funeral Home.