Saratoga News Richard Drake Longtime Saratoga resident Richard V. Drake, who most recently resided at The Terraces of Los Gatos, died Nov. 16 at the age of 83. Drake was born in Iowa in 1915 and grew up in in the town of Arnold's Park, on the banks of Lake Okoboji. He graduated high school in 1932 as class valedictorian, although he modestly liked to remind people that his graduating class comprised only 14 students. After graduating from Iowa's Grinnell College in 1936, Drake began what would become a long career with General Electric. During this time he also met and married Mary Elizabeth Miller. After many years working in New York and Vermont, Drake was transferred to California in 1956, where he became manager of finance for GE's Atomic Power Equipment Division in San Jose. The family settled in Saratoga, where Drake was elected to the Saratoga City Council in 1960 and was re-elected in 1964. He chaired the Saratoga Federated Church's sanctuary building committee and served on the Santa Clara County Library Commission. In 1966, GE transferred the Drakes to Florida and later to Pennsylvania. After his 1980 retirement, Drake decided to return to Saratoga. He became active with the Council on Aging of Santa Clara County, participated in the Good Government Group of Saratoga and the Saratoga Area Senior Coordinating Council and wrote a column called "The Senior Scene" for the Saratoga News. He was also active in the Residents' Council at The Terraces. "Dick exemplified the character traits that we all aspire to: friendship, love, steadfast support and dedication," recalls longtime friend and former GE co-worker Frank Cage of Los Gatos. Survivors include wife of 57 years, Mary E. Drake; daughters Marilyn Jackson of San Jose and Marsha Johnson of Santa Barbara; sons Glen Drake of Visalia and Bruce Drake of Sydney, Australia; and nine grandsons. Memorial services have been held, with interment at Madronia Cemetery. Donations may be made to The Meditation Room Project at The Terraces of Los Gatos, 800 Blossom Hill Road, Los Gatos, 95032, or to the Senior Endowment Fund at the Saratoga Federated Church, 14370 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga, 95070. John Cronin John Donald Cronin of Saratoga died Nov. 19 at the age of 67. Born Dec. 16, 1930, in New Jersey, Cronin was active in his high school band and basketball team and helped cultivate the school's victory garden. He received a business degree from Rutgers University; he also met his future wife, Barbara Anne Taylor, while attending college. After graduating, he served four years in the U.S. Navy as a supply officer during the Korean War. He and Barbara were married upon his return. Cronin was employed by IBM, which in 1968 resulted in his move to California and his settling in Saratoga.While raising his son Gregory Ryan, Cronin was an active leader in Boy Scouting and 4-H Club. Wife Barbara preceded Cronin in death. He is survived by son Gregory Ryan Cronin of Los Gatos and sister Marion Cronin of Whiting, N.J. Memorial services have been held. Donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1150 S. Bascom Ave., San Jose, 95128. [ Back to Contents Page | Saratoga News Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Saratoga News, January 20, 1999. ©1999 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.