HARPSWELL – Harold Morton Drake Jr., of Canton, MA and Cundy’s Harbor, ME, formerly of Hyde Park, MA, passed away December 16, 2016 at his home in Cundy’s Harbor. This home was very special to Harold, as it was the retirement home he built for his beloved wife of 67 years, the late Olive Belle (Snow) Drake, and the place where he shared many, many fond memories with Olive and his family. He was the loving father of Nancy E. Drake- Simpson of Canton, David H. Drake and his wife Karen of Rotonda West, FL, Jennifer C. E. Drake of Puyallup, WA, and the late Richard D. Drake, and the dear father-in-law of Barbara Drake of Londonderry, NH. Harold was the devoted brother of the late Dorothy Drake, Lucille Drake and Sally Boyington. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and many other cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews.

Harold was born in Brockton and grew up in Hyde Park. In 1940, Harold graduated from the Boston Latin School, and went on to Tufts University as an economics major while at the same time entering the Naval ROTC program. In 1942, he entered the Navy and received his degree and officers commission. Harold served in the Navy during World War II, where he served in the Pacific aboard the USS Salt Lake City. During his service he was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Medal with three Stars, the Philippine Liberation Medal with one Star, the WWII Victory Medal and other citations. Harold was then awarded the Distinguished Veteran’s Service Award in 2006.

After his military service, he attended Boston College Law School, graduated and passed The Bar in 1966, and continued to practice law in Canton for the next 40 years. Harold was very active in his local community, including serving as a member and past president of the Viking Club, as a long standing member of the Blue Hills Civic Association, a contributor to the Master Plan Study Committee in Canton, a member of the Canton Republican Committee, a member of the York Street Neighborhood Committee, an active member of the Council-on- Aging and serving in a leadership position for the Canton Housing Authority. He also served as a deacon of the United Church of Christ in Canton.

Harold Drake was an accomplished man, devoted to his community, his family and his country.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend services for Harold on Saturday, January 7th at 10 a.m. at the Congregational Church of Canton, 1541 Washington Street, Canton, MA. A celebration of Harold’s life will follow the services. Burial will take place at Milton cemetery in Milton, but will be limited to family and close friends at the family’s request.

As Harold was devoted to the Congregational Church of Canton and the Cundy’s Harbor Community Church, his family would appreciate any donations be sent to either church in the memory of Harold Drake. The addresses for the churches are as follows: Cundy’s Harbor Community Church, 863 Cundy’s Harbor Rd., Attn: Bernice Kenney, Harpswell, ME 04079. Congregational Church of Canton, 1541 Washington Street, Canton, MA 02021.